title: Sense of security among people aged 65 and 75: external and inner sources of security.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study exploring possible external and inner sources of the sense of security felt by older people aged 65 and 75. Background.  The concept of 'security' has been parsimoniously defined and explored, especially as pertains to older people, and previous research has primarily focused on risks in relation to individuals' declining health and functional ability.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2005, population-based cross-sectional surveys were carried out in 15 municipalities in Västerbotten, Sweden and 18 municipalities in Ostrobothnia, Finland. A 15-page questionnaire (84 questions) was distributed, with the final total response rate reaching 68· % (n = 3370): 1825 Swedish-speaking Swedes, 926 Swedish-speaking Finns and 621 Finnish-speaking Finns. The statistical analysis was three-stage, including nominal stepwise regressions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Older people who indicate that they are 'very secure' are more likely to consider life meaningful and are able to master various life crises. Moreover, they possess confidence in economic institutions and are more likely to feel economically secure. Weak trust in family and friends or neighbours and decreased functional ability seem to indicate a subjective feeling of 'insecurity'.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Caregivers in health care should focus more on supporting older persons' meaningfulness in life and how their feelings of security can be strengthened by trusting relationships and activities. In nursing, there should be more focus on developing knowledge of inner health resources, including positive life orientation and meaningfulness in life.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, Buskerud University College, Drammen, Norway. lisbeth.fagerstrom@hibu.no
authors.forename: Lisbeth
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Fagerström
authors.forename: Yngve
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Gustafson
authors.forename: Gunborg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Jakobsson
authors.forename: Stina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Johansson
authors.forename: Pirkko
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vartiainen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology; D001290:Attitude; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D003710:Demography / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012449:Safety; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D035502:Trust