Self-rated health in urban older adults: Examining predictive domains of city age-friendliness

Background. In response to the global trends of population aging and urbanization, the importance to address
healthy ageing in urban older adults is widely recognized in health psychology research. Self-rated health (SRH)
in older adults strongly predicts various health outcomes, including future morbidity, mortality, functional limitations,
and health-related quality of life, thus revealing individuals' potential capacities for healthy ageing. The study aimed
to identify predictors of the self-rated health in urban older adults by examining the social and physical
environmental domains of city age-friendliness proposed by the World Health Organization.
Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted in a sample of community-dwelling older adults
aged between 60 and 89 years (N=217; M=71.68; SD=6.77). Data were collected using the Age-Friendly Cities
and Communities Questionnaire (AFCCQ), the readiness for digital technology (RDT) scale, and the widely used
single-item measure of self-rated health. A multiple regression analysis was conducted. Socio-demographic
variables such as age, gender, education level, and living in partnership, along with presence of chronic diseases
and mobility-limiting health conditions, were controlled.
Findings. The nine age-friendliness domains, and RDT were investigated as predictors of SRH. A preliminary
regression model suggested inclusion of six social and physical environmental domains, and RDT, F (15, 201) =
35.48, p < .001, explaining 70.5 % of variance in the SRH results. The final results of the ongoing study will be
presented at the conference.
Discussion. Further research is needed to examine the identified predictors and their relationship to self-rated
health in urban older adults.