title: The Role of Age-Friendly Environments on Quality of Life among Thai Older Adults.
abstract: Studies on the significance of age-friendly environments towards quality of life among older adults have been limited. This study aimed to examine the association between age-friendly environments and quality of life among Thai older adults. Cross-sectional interview survey data were collected from 4183 older adults (≥60 years) using multistage stratified systematic sampling from all four regions in Thailand. The outcome variable was the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) scale, while independent variables included sociodemographic factors, having a health problem, and neighbourhood age-friendly environment variables. In multivariable logistic regression, significant age-friendly environments predictors of quality of life included walkable neighbourhood, neighbourhood aesthetics, neighbourhood service accessibility, neighbourhood criminal safety, neighbourhood social trust, neighbourhood social support, and neighbourhood social cohesion. The present study confirms the important role of age-friendly neighbourhoods in terms of physical and social environments towards the quality of life of older adults.
authors.affiliation: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. sariyamon.tir@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Sariyamon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tiraphat
authors.affiliation: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. karl.pel@mahidol.ac.th.|Department of Psychology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa. karl.pel@mahidol.ac.th.|HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB (HAST), Human Sciences Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. karl.pel@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Peltzer
authors.affiliation: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. kriengsak.sue@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Kriengsak
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Thamma-Aphiphol
authors.affiliation: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhon Pathom 73170, Thailand. kawinarat.sut@mahidol.ac.th.
authors.forename: Kawinarat
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suthisukon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013785:Thailand
keywords: Thailand; age-friendly environments; older adults; physical environment; quality of life; social environment