Life space and mental health: a study of older community-dwelling persons in Australia

Abstract

Objectives: The ability of older people to mobilise within and outside their community is dependent on a number of factors. This study explored the relationship between spatial mobility and psychological health among older adults living in Australia.Methods: The survey sample consisted of 260 community-dwelling men and women aged 75–80 years, who returned a postal survey measuring spatial mobility (using the Life Space Questionnaire) and psychological health (using the SF36 Health Related Quality of Life Profile). From the Life Space Questionnaire, participants were given a life-space score and multinomial regression was used to explore the potential effect of mental health on life-space score.Results: The study found a significant association between mental health and life space. However, gender, physical functioning, and ability to drive were most strongly associated with the extent of life space and spatial mobility. Compared to men, older women are more likely to experience less spatial mobility and restricted life space, and hence are more vulnerable to social isolation.Conclusion: Mental health and life space were associated for the older people in this study. These findings have important implications for health policy and highlight the need to support older persons to maintain independence and social networks, and to successfully age in place within their community. This study also highlights the utility of the Life Space Questionnaire in terms of identifying older persons at risk of poorer mental health.

Keywords:

• psychological health
• physical functioning
• gender
• spatial mobility

Acknowledgements

This paper draws on findings from the Housing and Independent Living (HAIL) project undertaken by researchers at the University of Newcastle, the University of Sydney, and the Sax Institute.

The 45 and Up Study is managed by the Sax Institute in collaboration with the major partner Cancer Council New South Wales; and partners: the National Heart Foundation of Australia (NSW Division); the New South Wales (NSW) Ministry of Health; beyondblue: the national depression initiative; Ageing, Disability and Home Care, NSW Family and Community Services; Australian Red Cross Blood Service; and Uniting Care Ageing. We sincerely thank the men and women of the 45 and Up Study who consented to participate in the HAIL project and who allowed assessors to visit them in their home, and for their graciousness and willingness to provide information relevant to the HAIL project. Further information is available from http://www.45andup.org.au.

All researchers in the Faculty of Health and Medicine at the University of Newcastle are members of the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). We thank Louise Thomas from the Research Centre for Gender, Health and Ageing, the University of Newcastle, for assistance with manuscript preparation.

Conflict of interest

The authors have no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The HAIL study was funded by the Ageing Disability and Home Care, NSW Family and Community Services [grant number G0190151].