The effect of living in communal homes on the depressive symptoms of older women living in rural areas: the mediating role of the socio-physical environment

ABSTRACT

This study examined the effects of the village communal living model on depressive symptoms, focusing on mediating roles of perceived environment among rural older women in South Korea. Data came from the sample of residents in 18 housings and their peers in the conventional housing (n = 168). Propensity score analysis and structural equation modeling were used. The results showed the effect of living in VCH on depressive symptoms was mediated distinct aspect of socio-physical environment.

KEYWORDS:

• Rural aging
• senior housing
• perceived environment
• depressive symptoms

Author contributions

Hyunjoo Lee designed the entire study and conducted all the analyses. Sojung park contributed to the designing and writing process. Lee Changu contributed to the data collection and management.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Daegu University (Research grant, 2016)