A Comparison of Rural and Urban Older Adults in Iowa on Specific Markers of Successful Aging

Abstract

This study examines the differences between rural and urban older adults on level of life satisfaction and depressive symptoms, focusing on the effect of social support. Data were collected through structured interviews at senior centers and senior meal sites in eastern and southeastern Iowa. The Duke Social Support Index (DSSI), the Life Satisfaction Index-Z (LSI-Z), and the Geriatric Depression Scale 15 (GDS15) were used. Correlations (Pearson's r), independent sample t-tests, and multiple regression were computed. Findings indicated that urban residents reported more depressive symptoms, as compared to rural residents. Subjective level of social support was a stronger predictor of life satisfaction and was more negatively related to depressive symptoms among rural than among urban older adults. Results suggest that social workers who work with aging people need to be aware of rural-urban differences in mental health. Furthermore, social workers need to have knowledge of older adults' social networks and work to ensure greater opportunity for social interaction.

Understanding Rural–Urban Differences in Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults in China

“…The pattern of rural-urban differences in depression observed among older adults in China is very different from that found in other countries (e.g., Britain, Canada, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and United States) where either no significant difference (Abe, Fujise, Fukunage, Nakagawa, & Ikeda, 2012; Kim, Shin, Yoon, & Stewart, 2002; St John, Blandford, & Strain, 2006) or a rural advantage (Chiu, Chen, Huang & Mau, 2005; Evans, 2009; Friedman, Conwell, & Delavan, 2007; Kim, Stewart, Shin, Yoon, & Lee, 2004; Walters et al, 2004) has been reported. Why is the prevalence of depression higher in rural than urban older adults in China?…”

The Role of Social Support in Multiple Morbidity: Self-Management among Rural Residents

“…27–28 Social support may be especially important to residents of Appalachia, where disease rates are high and strong informal social support network values are normative. 29–35 In this context, researchers have suggested social support may serve as a buffer against the impact of life stressors. 27–28,36 …”

Factors influencing Internet usage in older adults (65 years and above) living in rural and urban Sweden

“…A previous study has shown that older women that live in rural areas require more support, where in some communities they are struggling to stay living independently and sustain their well-being (34). There seem to be differences in social support, where urban older-adults tend to feel more depressed due to anonymity in cities, suggesting they are more lonely; contrary to rural older-adults who have stronger social connections that they can trust and depend on (35).…”