Impacts of Residential Environments on Housing Satisfaction among Korean American Elders

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify important aspects of residential environments on housing satisfaction among Korean American elders. Using Shea and Inman’s ecological model for the assessment of housing for older adults, this research utilized the subjective perceptions of various aspects of their residential environments as an intervening variable to predict housing satisfaction. A total of 177 Korean American elders participated in this study. In the analysis of quantitative data collected in 2003 using a self-administered questionnaire, the psychological (a sense of belonging to one’s neighborhood) and social (neighborhood social environment and community services) aspects of residential environments were positively related to housing satisfaction. The physical environment was not significantly related to housing satisfaction. The results of this study supported the importance of community involvement at the neighborhood level.