Psychological, Social, and Environmental Factors Associated With Utilization of Senior Centers Among Older Adults in Korea.
10.3961/jpmph.2012.45.4.244
- Author:
Hyun Shik KIM
1
;
Masashi MIYASHITA
;
Kazuhiro HARADA
;
Jong Hwan PARK
;
Jae Moo SO
;
Yoshio NAKAMURA
Author Information
1. Graduate School of Sport Sciences, Waseda University, Tokorozawa, Japan.
- Publication Type:Original Article ; Comparative Study ; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
- Keywords:
Senior center;
Prevention of long-term care;
Self efficacy;
Perceived benefits and barriers;
Social support;
Built environment
- MeSH:
Aged;
Aging/*psychology;
Community Health Centers/statistics & numerical data/*utilization;
Cross-Sectional Studies;
*Environment;
Female;
Health Services for the Aged/statistics & numerical data/*utilization;
Health Surveys;
Humans;
Korea;
Male;
Questionnaires;
Self Efficacy;
*Social Behavior;
Social Support;
Time Factors;
Travel
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2012;45(4):244-250
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among the psychological, social, and environmental factors influencing the utilization of senior centers among older adults in Korea. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was administered to two types of older adults who lived in Seoul, Korea: 262 older adults who used senior centers (3 places) and 156 older adults who did not use senior centers. RESULTS: Our results showed clearly that the utilization of the senior centers in Korea is affected by higher self-efficacy (odds ratio [OR], 6.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.31 to 12.32), higher perceived benefits (OR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.16 to 4.36), lower perceived barriers (OR, 6.43; 95% CI, 3.07 to 11.45), higher family support (OR, 4.21; 95% CI, 2.02 to 8.77), and higher support from friends (OR, 4.08; 95% CI, 2.38 to 7.81). The results also showed that participants whose total travel time was 15 to 29 minutes (OR, 2.84; 95% CI, 1.21 to 3.64) or less than 14 minutes (OR, 4.68; 95% CI, 3.41 to 8.41) were more likely to use a senior center than those who had to travel more than 30 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that the utilization of senior centers in Korea is affected by psychological, social, and environmental factors, specifically by self-efficacy, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, social support, convenience of transportation, and total travel time to the senior centers. The effects of longer-term utilization of the senior centers by non-users on health-related outcomes in a large population warrant attention.
