Hostname: page-component-76fb5796d-x4r87 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-26T09:00:50.528Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Does economic vulnerability moderate the association between transportation mode and social activity restrictions in later life?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 May 2017

AMANDA LEHNING ,
KYEONGMO KIM ,
RICHARD SMITH  and
MOON CHOI
AMANDA LEHNING*
Affiliation:
School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
KYEONGMO KIM
Affiliation:
School of Social Work, University of Maryland, Baltimore, USA.
RICHARD SMITH
Affiliation:
School of Social Work, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
MOON CHOI
Affiliation:
Graduate School Science and Technology Policy, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, Republic of Korea.
*
Address for correspondence: Amanda J. Lehning, School of Social Work, University of Maryland, 525 West Redwood Street, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA E-mail: alehning@ssw.umaryland.edu
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Transportation is critical to older adults’ ability to participate in social activities in their community. We examined the association between modes of transportation and restrictions in social activity (i.e. visiting with others, religious attendance, clubs and organised activities, and going out for enjoyment), with particular attention to the moderating effects of economic vulnerability. We used logistic regression to analyse data from 7,197 community-dwelling older adults from the 2011 wave of the National Health and Aging Trends Study, a representative sample of adults aged 65 and over in the United States of America. Economic vulnerability moderated the association between transportation mode and social activity restrictions. Findings suggest that even when economically vulnerable older adults have access to driving, walking or public transit, they may be at a higher risk for social exclusion than their counterparts with more financial resources.

Keywords

social exclusionmobilitydisparitiessocial participation
Type
Article
Information
Ageing & Society , Volume 38 , Issue 10 , October 2018 , pp. 2041 - 2060
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Acock, A. C. 2012. A Gentle Introduction to Stata. Third edition, Stata Press, College Station, Texas.Google Scholar
Adams, K. B., Leibbrandt, S. and Moon, H. 2011. A critical review of the literature on social and leisure activity and wellbeing in later life. Ageing & Society, 31, 4, 683–712.Google Scholar
Adler, G. and Rottunda, S. 2006. Older adults’ perspectives on driving cessation. Journal of Aging Studies, 20, 3, 227–35.Google Scholar
Agrawal, A. W., Blumenberg, E. A., Abel, S., Pierce, G. and Darrah, C. N. 2011. Getting around when you're just getting by: the travel behavior and transportation expenditures of low-income adults. MTI Report 10–02, Mineta Transportation Institute, San Jose, California.Google Scholar
Andrew, M. K. 2005. Social capital, health, and care home residence among older adults: a secondary analysis of the Health Survey for England 2000. European Journal of Ageing, 2, 2, 137–48.Google Scholar
Baldassare, M., Bonner, D., Paluch, J. and Petek, S. 2009. PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and the Environment. Public Policy Institute of California, San Francisco. Available online at http://www.ppic.org/content/pubs/survey/S_709MBS.pdf [Accessed 15 July 2015].Google Scholar
Benyamini, Y. and Lomranz, J. 2004. The relationship of activity restriction and replacement with depressive symptoms among older adults. Psychology and Aging, 19, 2, 362–6.Google Scholar
Berke, E. M., Gottlieb, L. M., Moudon, A. V. and Larson, E. B. 2007. Protective association between neighborhood walkability and depression in older men. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 55, 4, 526–33.Google Scholar
Bird, S., Kurowski, W., Feldman, S., Browning, C., Lau, R., Radermacher, H., Thomas, S. and Sims, J. 2009. The influence of the built environment and other factors on the physical activity of older women from different ethnic communities. Journal of Women and Aging, 21, 1, 33–47.Google Scholar
Blumenberg, E. and Pierce, G. 2013. Multimodal travel and the poor: evidence from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey. UCTC-FR-2013_08, University of California Transportation Center, Berkeley, CA.Google Scholar
Borglin, G., Jakobsson, U., Edberg, A. and Rahm Hallberg, I. 2006. Older people in Sweden with various degrees of present quality of life: their health, social support, everyday activities and sense of coherence. Health and Social Care in the Community, 14, 2, 136–46.Google Scholar
Brenner, L. A., Homaifer, B. Y. and Schultheis, M. T. 2008. Driving, aging, and traumatic brain injury: integrating findings from the literature. Rehabilitation Psychology, 53, 1, 18–27.Google Scholar
Burchardt, T., Le Grand, J. and Piachaud, D. 1999. Social exclusion in Britain 1991–1995. Social Policy & Administration, 33, 3, 227–44.Google Scholar
Burkhardt, J. E. 2000. Limitations of mass transportation and individual vehicle systems for older persons. In Schaie, K. W. and Pietrucha, M. (eds), Mobility and Transportation in the Elderly. Springer, New York, 97–123.Google Scholar
Burkhardt, J., McGavock, A., Nelson, C. A. and Mitchell, C. G. 2002. Improving transit options for older persons. Transit Cooperative Research Program B-19, Transportation Research Board, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Cass, N., Shove, E. and Urry, J. 2005. Social exclusion, mobility and access. The Sociological Review, 53, 3, 539–55.Google Scholar
Chatters, L. M., Bullard, K. M., Taylor, R. J., Woodward, A. T., Neighbors, H. W. and Jackson, J. S. 2008. Religious participation and DSM-IV disorders among older African Americans: findings from the National Survey of American Life. American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 16, 12, 957–65.Google Scholar
Choi, M., Adams, K. B. and Kahana, E. 2012. The impact of transportation support on driving cessation among community-dwelling older adults. Journals of Gerontology: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, 67B, 3, 392–400.Google Scholar
Choi, M. and Mezuk, B. 2013. Aging without driving: evidence from the Health and Retirement Study, 1993 to 2008. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 32, 7, 902–12.Google Scholar
Choi, M., Mezuk, B., Lohman, M., Edwards, J. D. and Rebok, G. W. 2012. Gender and racial disparities in driving cessation among older adults. Journal of Aging and Health, 24, 8, 1364–79.Google Scholar
Choi, M., O'Connor, M. L., Mingo, C. and Mezuk, B. 2015. Gender and racial disparities in life-space constriction among older adults. The Gerontologist. Published online July 16, 2015, doi:10.1093/geront/gnv061.Google Scholar
Clifton, K. J. 2004. Mobility strategies and food shopping for low-income families: a case study. Journal of Planning Education and Research, 23, 4, 402–13.Google Scholar
Cornwell, B., Laumann, E. O. and Schumm, L. P. 2008. The social connectedness of older adults: a national profile. American Sociological Review, 73, 2, 185–203.Google Scholar
Curl, A. L., Stowe, J. D., Cooney, T. M. and Proulx, C. M. 2014. Giving up the keys: how driving cessation affects engagement in later life. The Gerontologist, 54, 3, 423–33.Google Scholar
Cvitkovich, Y. and Wister, A. 2001. The importance of transportation and prioritization of environmental needs to sustain well-being among older adults. Environment and Behavior, 33, 6, 809–29.Google Scholar
Dahan-Oliel, N., Mazer, B., Gélinas, I., Dobbs, B. and Lefebvre, H. 2010. Transportation use in community-dwelling older adults: association with participation and leisure activities. Canadian Journal on Aging, 29, 4, 491–502.Google Scholar
Davey, J. A. 2007. Older people and transport: coping without a car. Ageing & Society, 27, 1, 49–65.Google Scholar
Davis, M. G., Fox, K. R., Hillsdon, M., Coulson, J. C., Sharp, D. J., Stathi, A. and Thompson, J. L. 2011. Getting out and about in older adults: the nature of daily trips and their association with objectively assessed physical activity. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8, 1, 116–24.Google Scholar
Dellinger, A. M., Sehgal, M., Sleet, D. A. and Barrett-Connor, E. 2001. Driving cessation: what older former drivers tell us. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 49, 4, 431–5.Google Scholar
Desrosiers, J., Robichaud, L., Demers, L., Gélinas, I., Noreau, L. and Durand, D. 2009. Comparison and correlates of participation in older adults without disabilities. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics, 49, 3, 397–403.Google Scholar
Dugan, E. and Lee, C. M. 2013. Biopsychosocial risk factors for driving cessation: findings from the Health and Retirement Study. Journal of Aging and Health, 25, 8, 1313–28.Google Scholar
Freedman, V. A., Kasper, J. D., Cornman, J. C., Agree, E. M., Bandeen-Roche, K., Mor, V., Spillman, B.C., Wallace, R. and Wolf, D. A. 2011. Validation of new measures of disability and functioning in the National Health and Aging Trends Study. Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 66A, 9, 1013–21.Google Scholar
Glasgow, N. and Blakely, R. M. 2000. Older nonmetropolitan residents’ evaluations of their transportation arrangements. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 19, 1, 95–116.Google Scholar
Glass, T. A., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Bassuk, S. S. and Berkman, L. F. 2006. Social engagement and depressive symptoms in late life: longitudinal findings. Journal of Aging and Health, 18, 4, 604–18.Google Scholar
Hand, C., Law, M., Hanna, S., Elliott, S. and McColl, M. 2012. Neighbourhood influences on participation in activities among older adults with chronic health conditions. Health and Place, 18, 4, 869–76.Google Scholar
James, B. D., Boyle, P. A., Buchman, A. S. and Bennett, D. A. 2011. Relation of late-life social activity with incident disability among community-dwelling older adults. Journals of Gerontology: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences, 66A, 4, 467–73.Google Scholar
Jang, Y., Mortimer, J. A., Haley, W. E. and Borenstein Graves, A. R. 2004. The role of social engagement in life satisfaction: its significance among older individuals with disease and disability. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 23, 3, 266–78.Google Scholar
Kasper, J. and Freedman, V. 2012. National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) Round 1 User Guide: Final Release. Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.Google Scholar
Levasseur, M., Desrosiers, J. and Whiteneck, G. 2010. Accomplishment level and satisfaction with social participation of older adults: association with quality of life and best correlates. Quality of Life Research, 19, 5, 665–75.Google Scholar
Levasseur, M., Généreux, M., Bruneau, J. F., Vanasse, A., Chabot, É., Beaulac, C. and Bédard, M. M. 2015. Importance of proximity to resources, social support, transportation and neighborhood security for mobility and social participation in older adults: results from a scoping study. BMC Public Health, 15, 1, 503.Google Scholar
Lynott, J. and Figueiredo, C. 2011. How the Travel Patterns of Older Adults Are Changing: Highlights from the 2009 National Household Travel Survey. AARP Public Policy Institute, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Lynott, J., Haase, J., Nelson, K., Taylor, A., Twaddell, H., Ulmer, J., McCann, B. and Stollof, E. R. 2009. Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America. AARP Public Policy Institute, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Marottoli, R. A., Mendes de Leon, C. F., Glass, T. A., Williams, C. S., Cooney, L. M. and Berkman, L. F. 2000. Consequences of driving cessation: decreased out-of-home activity levels. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 55B, 6, 334–40.Google Scholar
Marsh, A. and Mullins, D. 1998. The social exclusion perspective and housing studies: origins, applications and limitations. Housing Studies, 13, 6, 749–59.Google Scholar
Mezuk, B. and Rebok, G. W. 2008. Social integration and social support among older adults following driving cessation. Journals of Gerontology: Social Sciences, 63B, 5, 298–303.Google Scholar
Montaquila, J., Freedman, V., Edwards, B. and Kasper, J. 2012 a. National Health and Aging Trends Study Round 1 Sample Design and Selection. Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.Google Scholar
Montaquila, J., Freedman, V. A., Spillman, B. and Kasper, J. D. 2012 b. Development of Round 1 Survey Weights. Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.Google Scholar
Ortman, J. M., Velkoff, V. A. and Howard, H. 2014. An Aging Nation: The Older Adult Population in the United States. US Census Bureau, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Perkins, J., Multhaup, K., Perkins, H. and Barton, C. 2008. Self-efficacy and participation in physical and social activity among older adults in Spain and the United States. The Gerontologist, 48, 1, 51–8.Google Scholar
Pucher, J., Buehler, R., Merom, D. and Bauman, A. 2011. Walking and cycling in the United States, 2011–2009: evidence from the National Household Travel Surveys. American Journal of Public Health, 101, S1, S310–7.Google Scholar
Pucher, J. and Renne, J. L. 2003. Socioeconomics of urban travel: evidence from the 2001 NHTS. Transportation Quarterly, 57, 3, 49–77.Google Scholar
Richard, L., Gauvin, L., Kestens, Y.Shatenstein, B., Payette, H., Daniel, M., Moore, S., Lavasseur, M. and Mercille, G. 2013. Neighborhood resources and social participation among older adults: results from the VoisiNuage Study. Journal of Aging and Health, 25, 2, 296–318.Google Scholar
Ritter, A., Straight, A. and Evans, E. 2002. Understanding Senior Transportation: Report and Analysis of a Survey of Consumers 50 +. AARP, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Rosenbloom, S. and Herbel, S. 2009. The safety and mobility patterns of older women: Do current patterns foretell the future? Public Works Management & Policy, 13, 4, 338–53.Google Scholar
Rudman, D. L., Friedland, J., Chipman, M. and Sciortino, P. 2006. Holding on and letting go: the perspectives of pre-seniors and seniors on driving self-regulation in later life. Canadian Journal on Aging, 25, 1, 65–76.Google Scholar
Sallis, J. F. and Kerr, J. 2006. Physical activity and the built environment. President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports Research Digest, 7, 1–8.Google Scholar
Scharlach, A. E. and Lehning, A. J. 2013. Aging-friendly communities and social inclusion. Ageing & Society, 33, 1, 110–36.Google Scholar
Schonfelder, S. and Axhausen, K. W. 2003. Activity spaces: measures of social exclusion? Transport Policy, 10, 4, 273–86.Google Scholar
Siren, A., Hjorthol, R. and Levin, L. 2015. Different types of out-of-home activities and well-being amongst urban residing older persons with mobility impediments. Journal of Transport and Health, 2, 1, 14–21.Google Scholar
Thomas, P. A. 2012. Trajectories of social engagement and mortality in late life. Journal of Aging and Health, 24, 4, 547–68.Google Scholar
US Government Accountability Office 2004. Transportation – disadvantaged seniors: efforts to enhance senior mobility could benefit from additional guidance and information. Report GAO-04-971, US Government Accountability Office, Washington DC.Google Scholar
Weeks, L. E., Stadnyk, R., Begley, L. and MacDonald, D. J. 2015. The influence of driving status on transportation challenges experienced by older adults. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 34, 4, 501–17.Google Scholar