Cognitive and Sensory Dimensions of Older People’s Preferences of Outdoor Spaces for Walking: A Survey Study in Ireland
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methods
2.1. Participants
2.2. Design
2.3. Survey
2.3.1. Outcome Measures
2.3.2. Independent Measures
2.3.3. Covariates
2.4. Data Analysis
3. Results
3.1. Sample Characteristics
3.2. Factors Associated with Walking Preferences
3.3. Walking Destinations and Types
3.4. Qualitative Themes
- (1)
- Diversity of walking purposes: The choice of outdoor spaces was determined by the purpose of the walk (recreation vs. transportation) and also by the level of urbanity of the place of residence: urban dwellers walked for transport in their neighbourhood but drove to green/blue spaces for recreation, with the opposite pattern for rural dwellers;
- (2)
- Stimulation adjustment needs: Within-person variations in environmental preferences were observed based on the level of mental stimulation sought by the individual; stimulation seekers looked for places offering variety and novelty, such as the city centre, whereas natural/green spaces were preferred if the person wanted to avoid or reduce stimulation.
- (3)
- Personal attitudes towards outdoor spaces: Together with transitory stimulation adjustment needs, environmental preferences varied based on personal attitudes towards stimulation, particularly in terms of social interactions: Individuals who sought social engagement preferred places used by other people and walking in company, whereas individuals who preferred to avoid social encounters used less crowded places and natural spaces. Biophilia and sense of attachment to places further contributed to between-person variations in outdoor preferences.
- (4)
- Social dimensions of walking outdoors: Participants’ views on the presence of other people in the places where they walk were also associated with their perceptions of social safety: Having people around made some participants feel as being in a safe environment, but these feelings varied based on the types of people that could be encountered outdoors.
- (5)
- Physical attributes of outdoor spaces: In line with previous studies on walkability, our participants also discussed the important role of the environment structural quality and accessibility of outdoor spaces for choosing to walk outdoors.
4. Discussion
4.1. Summary of Findings
4.2. Strengths and Limitations
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Dataset Identifier
Acknowledgments
Conflicts of Interest
References
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Measure | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. Variety | |||||||
2. Quietness | 0.42 *** | ||||||
3. Green spaces | 0.32 *** | 0.47 *** | |||||
4. People | 0.14 | −0.17 | 0.12 | ||||
5. Cognitive failures | 0.03 | 0.02 | −0.09 | −0.250 * | |||
6. Sensory sensitivity | 0.14 | 0.18 | 0.03 | −0.13 | 0.17 | ||
7. Walking frequency | −0.04 | 0.05 | 0.21 * | 0.180 † | −0.04 | −0.190 * | |
8. Age | −0.02 | 0.06 | −0.13 | 0.05 | 0.240 * | 0.270 ** | 0.04 |
Measure | Cognitive Failures | Sensory Sensitivity | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Prop OR | p-Value | Wald Chi2 | Prop OR | p-Value | Wald Chi2 | |
Cognitive failures by urbanity level | 17.12 ** | 15.52 ** | ||||
Inner city | 0.93 | 0.003 | 0.92 | 0.01 | ||
City suburbs | 0.98 | 0.34 | 0.98 | 0.62 | ||
Town | 0.99 | 0.91 | 0.99 | 0.75 | ||
Village | 0.96 | 0.06 | 0.97 | 0.34 | ||
Countryside | 0.95 | 0.004 | 0.94 | 0.03 | ||
Female | 3.15 | 0.009 | 6.86 ** | 3.12 | 0.007 | 7.32 ** |
Age | 1.01 | 0.97 | 0.01 | 0.99 | 0.64 | 0.22 |
Goodness-of-fit Pearson’s chi2 | 393.66 | 381.39 | ||||
Omnibus test likelihood ration chi2 | 23.45 | 0.001 | 22.34 | 0.002 | ||
Pseudo R2 | 0.08 | 0.07 |
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Cassarino, M.; Bantry-White, E.; Setti, A. Cognitive and Sensory Dimensions of Older People’s Preferences of Outdoor Spaces for Walking: A Survey Study in Ireland. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081340
Cassarino M, Bantry-White E, Setti A. Cognitive and Sensory Dimensions of Older People’s Preferences of Outdoor Spaces for Walking: A Survey Study in Ireland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16(8):1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081340
Chicago/Turabian StyleCassarino, Marica, Eleanor Bantry-White, and Annalisa Setti. 2019. "Cognitive and Sensory Dimensions of Older People’s Preferences of Outdoor Spaces for Walking: A Survey Study in Ireland" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 8: 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081340
APA StyleCassarino, M., Bantry-White, E., & Setti, A. (2019). Cognitive and Sensory Dimensions of Older People’s Preferences of Outdoor Spaces for Walking: A Survey Study in Ireland. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(8), 1340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16081340