Paul G. Windley

Well-being profiles of small-town elderly in differing rural contexts.

This study provides data on variations in subjective well-being among older residents of small towns in varying rural contexts. Standard structured interview data on five composite dimensions of well-being (mental health, activity, contact with friends/relatives, security) were gathered on 989 elderly residents across 18 small towns stratified by population (100–500; 501–1500; 1501–2500) and quantitatively-defined county rurality (high-medium-low). Similarities and differences in well-being among the nine town size/rurality categories resulting from this stratification are discussed, along with implications for rural gerontological research and intervention.

THE WELL‐BEING OF OLDER PERSONS IN SMALL RURAL TOWNS: A TOWN PANEL APPROACH

There is a significant lack of information regarding older residents of small rural towns. A major interdisciplinary interview study of 990 older residents (65 years +) of 18 small towns (2,500 or less) was conducted to (1) assess the social and psychological well‐being of mental health of these residents, (2) assess their perceptions of 11 ecological/architectural and 3 psychosocial community‐level environmental dimensions, (3) determine the extent to which individual differences in mental health are predicted by these environmental features, and (4) translate the findings into a set of more practical recommendations for applied professionals. A town panel field strategy was employed that facilitated access to each town. The methodological features of this approach, as well as evidence of its success, are detailed. These include gaining entree, establishing rapport, handling publicity, selecting respondents, and issuing payment. A rural‐oriented interviewer training program is discussed. Illustrative, de...

Rural small towns: an environmental context for aging

Following a brief review of sociological and psychological definitions of rurality, this paper illustrates the uses of an empirically-derived taxonomy of environmental perceptions for understanding the rural experiences of older residents of small towns in the midwestern United States. Specifically, variations in perceptions of twelve dimensions of rural environments were examined (1) among older residents of small towns of different sizes (populations 100–500, 501–1500 or 1501–2500), and (2) among four groups of older residents (n = 898) displaying differing profiles of subjective social and psychological well-being. Reliable town- size differences in environmental perceptions were found for eight of the 12 environmental attributes. Illustratively, residents of smaller towns reported lower levels of community satisfaction and community involvement, higher levels of intimacy and consensus on town issues, and fewer barriers to services and activities than residents of larger towns. Reliable differences in environmental perceptions were found for ten of the attributes for older residents differing in well-being. For example, more frail residents were less satisfied with their communities, and felt more constricted and isolated by physical barriers and social norms; they were less involved in their communities and less aware of available community services. The advantages of the application of person-environment taxonomies to research and intervention in rural environments are discussed. Chief among these is the refinement gained in the understanding of individual differences in ecological adaptation.

Taxonomy and environment—Aging interaction: a case for small town diversity

Abstract This paper demonstrates the utility of an environment-behavior conceptual scheme proposed by Lawton for guiding the development of taxonomies of social and environmental attributes of rural small towns. A twelve-dimension psychosocial and environmental taxonomy is presented based on data gathered from 989 older residents of 18 small Kansas towns of 2500 and less in population. Implications of taxonomic development for the further conceptualization and definition of rurality is discussed. The role which taxonomic development plays in environmental design, planning and program intervention is also presented.

Environmental cognition of small rural towns: The case of older residents

Abstract This study reports the relation of town size and personal and demographic characteristics of 989 rural older persons to five environmental cognition dimensions: perceived neighborhood size, neighborhood ratio, awareness of town amenities, number of amenity types and tour ratio. Town size differences were found for all five dimensions: residents of smaller towns (0–500 in population) identified smaller neighborhoods but larger neighborhood ratios, listed fewer town amenities and amenity types, and produced smaller tour ratios, than did residents of larger towns (1,501–2,500 in population). Relations were also found for gender, marital status, dwelling unit type, employment status, religion, and mental health status.