Citation

Olcay Imamoğlu E, Imamoĝlu V. J. Environ. Psychol. 1992; 12(1): 35-43.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, Academic Press)

DOI

10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80295-6

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The current living environments of the Turkish elderly were explored as a function of urbanization. For this purpose, some findings from an extensive research project involving 448 Turkish elderly between the ages of 55 to 71 from small towns, cities and metropolitan areas were reported. Results indicated that although the elderly's assessment of their physical living conditions did not differ much as a function of urbanization, their satisfaction with life declined from small towns to metropolises. The reasons for this decline in life satisfaction were sought in the changes in the social living environments of the elderly accompanying urbanization. Design implications of such findings as the importance attributed to dwellings and people by the elderly, the functional and psychological extendedness of family units, preferences for same-age companionship and changing attitudes towards institutional living are discussed. The need to provide alternative living environments suitable to the needs of the Turkish elderly is stressed.