| The purpose of the present research was to systematically isolate factors related to older adults' satisfaction with their living environment, and use of the functional resource environments.;The approach of this study used M. Powell Lawton's theories of competency, environmental press, and adaptation and docility-proactivity model which emphasized the mutual interaction of the person and environment.;An ex post facto multivariate correlational design was selected to investigate the association between adaptation, instrumental activities of daily living performance, social participation, and relocation decision-making, on satisfaction with living environment and use of the functional resource environment. The research study also controlled for other demographic and health status variables thought to be related to the two dependent variables.;Data were collected with the use of a self administered questionnaire sent to a stratified random sample of 600 elders in the United States. The sample size consisted of 55% usable responses or 323 elders. The instrument gathered demographic information and measured for the dependent and independent variables using established, adapted, and original scales, which were tested for reliability.;Hypothesis one was supported. Life care community residents had higher satisfaction with their living environment than elders living in the community.;Hypothesis two was not supported. Elders with higher scores on adaptation, social participation, and IADL performance measures did not have higher scores on satisfaction with living environment.;Hypothesis three was partially supported. Income, age, and higher scores on amenity and mobility decision concerns were related to higher satisfaction with living environment. More health symptoms and higher scores on security decision concerns were associated with lower satisfaction with living environment.;Finally, hypothesis four was partially supported. There was a positive association between adaptation and social participation, marital status and use of the functional resource environment. There was no significant association between IADL performance and use of the functional resource environment.;The results of the study lend partial support to Lawton's theoretical concepts. The study also demonstrates the relationship between the environment on the physical and emotional well-being of the elderly. |
