Housing Satisfaction Among Rural Small-Town Elderly

This study models the impact of ecological/architectural, psychosocial, demographic and well-being variables on house/neighborhood satisfaction of 989 community-based rural elderly (65 years or older) in 18 small Kansas towns. Using standard structured interview data, a holdout sample strategy was employed to test the path model. Results of tests of the model confirmed the statistical reliability (p < .05) of all direct predictors of house/neighborhood satisfaction; however, some indirect paths were not confirmed. Results showed that the strongest direct predictor of house/neighborhood satisfaction was satisfaction with specific dwelling features. Implications of the model for design and social planning intervention and policy are discussed.