Successful aging and environmental factors in older individuals in urban and rural areas: A cross-sectional study

Objective: The effects of the environmental factors on successful aging (SA) are not well understood. This study aimed to assess SA and related factors in older individuals in urban and rural areas, exploring differences between groups and investigating the effects of environmental factors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 205 and 212 older people in urban and rural areas of Shandong Province, respectively, between March 2019 and September 2019. SA was measured using the Successful Aging Inventory (SAI). The environmental factors were assessed using the WHOQOL-100 scale. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine associations of different parameters with SA. Results: The scores of SA and environmental factors of older individuals in urban vs. rural areas were 48.79 vs. 46.14 and 128.63 vs. 107.81, respectively (both P < 0.05). All "Environment" dimensions ("Safety and physical security", "Home environment", "Financial resources", "Health and social care", "Opportunities for acquiring new information and skills", "Participation and opportunities for leisure", and "Transport"), except "Physical environment (pollution/noise/traffic/climate)", were associated with SA (all P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that psychological resilience, physical activity, self-evaluation of SA, environment, social support, and hearing status were shared factors by the urban and rural older individuals. Conclusion: The SA and environmental factor scores were higher in urban older individuals compared with rural ones. Environment dimensions (except "Physical environment (pollution/noise/traffic/climate)") were associated with SA.