Impact of community environment on functional ability in the elderly: a qualitative study based on a person-environment fit perspective
10.3760/cma.j.cn115682-20241209-06752
- VernacularTitle:社区环境如何影响老年人功能发挥：基于人-环境匹配视角的质性研究
- Author:
Hongsai ZHANG
1
;
Shuqin XIAO
1
;
Xian MA
1
;
Luqi DONG
1
Author Information
1. 首都医科大学护理学院，北京 100069
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Aged;
Community health service;
Person-environment fit;
Functional ability;
Qualitative research
- From:
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing
2025;31(13):1713-1720
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the impact of community environment on the functional ability in the elderly based on a person-environment fit perspective.Methods:The descriptive qualitative research method was used. Applying the purposive sampling method, elderly people attending two community health centers and their subordinate health stations in Beijing were selected as respondents from January to May 2024. An interview outline was developed based on the person-environment fit theory, and semi-structured interviews were used to collect information. Thematic analysis was used for data analysis.Results:A total of 16 community elderly people were interviewed, and four themes were finalized, including multidimensional compensation of the environment for individual competence (accessible and convenient environments compensate for declining motor abilities, supportive physical environments compensate for declining vision and vitality, social support compensates for declining cognitive abilities, and age-friendly environments enhancing a sense of belonging and security) , congruence of personal preferences with the community environment (diversity of activities to meet individualized needs, environmental stability to ensure a sense of control over life, age-friendly digital environments to meet the digital needs of the elderly) , personal influencing factors of the perceived environment (length of residence, personal health status, personal social relations) , and coping styles with person-environment mismatches (enhancement of individual capabilities, use of assistive devices for self-empowerment, proactive home age-friendly adaptation, self-psychological adjustment) .Conclusions:Community healthcare workers should emphasize the role of the environment and give full consideration to the individual characteristics, needs and preferences of the elderly people, and pay special attention to the elderly people who have a poor perception of the environment and encourage them to take positive coping styles to adapt to the environment.
