Older people living in rural areas tend to have better mental health: Study

Mental health is an important aspect of life that reflects the well-being of people belonging to all age groups. Similarly, elder people are no exception. The mental well being of older parents determines their approach towards their daily lives. A study says, there exists a link between the mental health of older people and their environment. Whether they are living in rural or urban areas, the surrounding impacts the mental well being at a great extend.

According to the study conducted at the Univesity of Barcelona and Pompeu Fabra University, the main variables that come from the mental satisfaction of older people can be associated with the rural characteristics of the environment around them. This association can also depend on an individual’s demographic, health, and lifestyle characteristics to determine the scale of mental well-being.

The author of the paper said in a statement,” The perception that older people living in rural areas have with regard to the limitation of health and ageing is linked with less deterioration of mental well-being. On the other hand, living in urban areas is related to an increased risk of suffering emotional problems attributable to economic difficulties or a low level of education.”

The study also highlighted some factors and indicators of well-being that includes demographic, economic, self-perceived health, physical health burden, function limitations, and dependence, social support, family issues, physical limitations with age, and sleep hours.

This study was published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.

Photo credit: Google