title: Socioeconomic Status and Life-Space Mobility in Old Age.
abstract: Life-space mobility describes the extent of community mobility of older persons. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and life-space mobility and to investigate whether associations might be explained by SES-related disparities in health and functioning. The participants (n = 848) were community-dwelling adults aged 75-90. Education and occupation were used to indicate SES. Life-space assessment (range 0-120) was used to indicate distance and frequency of moving and assistance needed in moving. People with low education had lower life-space mobility scores than those with intermediate or high education: marginal means 63.5, 64.8, and 70.0 (p = .003), respectively. SES-related health disparities, i.e., higher body mass index, poorer cognitive capacity, and poorer physical performance explained the association, rendering it nonsignificant (marginal means 65.2, 65.3, and 67.5, p = .390). Low SES and restricted life-space mobility often coexist with overweight, reduced cognition, and poorer physical performance.
authors.forename: Johanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Eronen
authors.forename: Mikaela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: von Bonsdorff
authors.forename: Merja
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rantakokko
authors.forename: Erja
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Portegijs
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Viljanen
authors.forename: Taina
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Rantanen
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003071:Cognition; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D054624:Health Status Disparities; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D009790:Occupations; D012923:Social Class
keywords: aging; life-space; mobility; socioeconomic status