Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Transport, unmet activity needs and wellbeing in later life: exploring the links

  • Published:
Transportation Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Using nationally representative data from Norway, this paper analyses the link between transport and wellbeing by considering the extent to which older adults believe that their needs for out-of-home activity participation remain unsatisfied. It demonstrates that such transport-related factors as holding a driving license and subjective evaluations of public transport supply shape the level of unmet needs for out-of-home activity. Other factors that help explain differences in the extent of unmet activity needs include actual participation in out-of-home activities, self-perceived health and problems with walking, outlook on life, residential location and indicators of social support and social networks. It is concluded that policymakers seeking to raise wellbeing above a minimum threshold of what counts as a decent life should enhance older adults’ ability to drive in old age and car availability, lower the distance to public transport stops, and improve the connectivity that public transport offers to destinations. Policies to improve wellbeing in later life should nonetheless move beyond silo thinking. Questions of mobility in later life require a cross-sector and holistic approach to policy that transcends the realm of transport planning.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The number of people unable to participate is probably (considerably) higher than the 300 individuals who were reported as such by relatives and care-givers.

  2. Because all reason variables are measured on the same scale and with identical response categories, a comparison of the estimated regression coefficients provides an indication of their relative importance.

References

  • Adler, G., Rottunda, S.: Older adults’ perspectives on driving cessation. J. Aging Stud. 20(3), 227–235 (2006)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Allardt, E.: Att ha, att älska, att vara. Om välferd i Norden [Having, loving, being: welfare in the Nordic countries]. Argos Förlag AB, Lund (1975)

    Google Scholar 

  • Allardt, E.: Having, loving and being: an alternative to the Swedish model of welfare research. In: Nussbaum, M.C., Sen, A. (eds.) The Quality of Life, pp. 88–94. Oxford University Press, Oxford (1993)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Bowling, A.: Ageing Well: Quality of Life in Old Age. Open University Press, Maidenhead (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowling, A., Gabriel, Z.: Lay theories of quality of life in older age. Ageing Soc. 27, 827–848 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Collia, D.V., Sharp, J., Giesbrecht, L.: The 2001 national household travel survey: a look into the travel patterns of older Americans. J. Safety Res. 34, 461–470 (2003)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Davey, J.A.: Older people and transport: coping without a car. Ageing Soc. 27(1), 49–65 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Vos, J., Schwanen, T., Van Acker, V., Witlox, F.: Travel and subjective well-being: a focus on findings, methods and future research needs. Transp. Rev. 33(4), 421–442 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diener, E., Suh, E.: Measuring quality of life: economic, social, and subjective indicators. Soc. Indic. Res. 40, 189–216 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ettema, D., Gärling, T., Olsson, L.E., Friman, M.: Out-of-home activities, daily travel, and subjective well-being. Transp. Res. Part A 44(9), 723–732 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  • Eurostat (2013) Population structure and ageing, available at http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/statistics_explained/index.php/Population_structure_and_ageing Last Accessed on 12 Nov 2013

  • Fonda, S.J., Wallace, R.B., Herzog, A.R.: Changes in driving patterns and worsening depressive symptoms among older adults. J. Gerontol., Ser. B 56, 343–351 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Garson, G.D.: Ordinal Regression. Statistical Associates Publishers, Ebook (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  • Golob, T.F., Hensher, D.A.: The trip chaining activity of Sydney residents: a cross-section assessment by age group with a focus on seniors. J. Transp. Geogr. 15(4), 298–312 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hjorthol, R., Levin, L., Siren, A.: Mobility in different generations of older persons. The development of daily travel in different cohorts in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. J. Transp. Geogr. 18(5), 624–633 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hjorthol R, Nordbakke S (2008) Impact of the car on the welfare and quality of life of the elderly. TØI-report 1000/2008. Institute of Transport Economics, Oslo

  • Hjorthol, R., Sagberg, F.: Introductory report: Norway. In: Rosenbloom, S. (ed.) Transport and Ageing of the Population, pp. 177–2010. Economic Research Centre, Paris (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hovbrandt, P., Ståhl, A., Iwarsson, S., Horstmann, V., Carlsson, G.: Very old people’s use of the pedestrian environment: functional limitations, frequency of activity and environmental demands. Eur. J. Ageing 4(4), 201–211 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ieda, H., Muraki, Y.: Can improved mobility raise the elderly’s sense of fulfillment? Japan Railway Transport Review 20, 14–21 (1999)

    Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S.: Assessing mobility in an aging society: personal and built environment factors associated with older people’s subjective transportation deficiency in the US. Transp. Res. Part F 14(5), 422–429 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laslett, P.: A Fresh Map of Life. Weidenfield and Nicholson, London (1989)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyubomirsky, S., King, L., Diener, E.: The benefits of frequent positive affect: does happiness lead to success? Psychol. Bull. 131(6), 803–855 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marottoli, R.A., Mendes de Leon, C.F., Glass, T.A., Williams, C.S., Cooney Jr, L.M., Berkman, L.F.: Consequences of driving cessation: decreased out-of-home activity levels. J. Gerontol. Ser. B 55, 334–340 (2000)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Marottoli, R.A., Mendes de Leon, C.F., Glass, T.A., Williams, C.S.: Driving cessation and increased depressive symptoms: prospective evidence from the New Haven EPESE. J. Am. Geriatr. Soc. 45, 202–206 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Maslow, A.H.: Toward a Psychology of Being. Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Mollenkopf, H., Hieber, A., Wahl, H.-W.: Continuity and change in older adults’ perceptions of out-of-home mobility over ten years: a qualitative-quantitative approach. Ageing Soc. 31, 782–802 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mollenkopf, H., Marcellini, F., Ruoppila, I., Széman, Z., Tacken, M.: Enhancing Mobility in Later Life: Personal Coping, Environmental Resources and Technical Support. IOS Press, Amsterdam (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nordbakke, S.: Capabilities for mobility among older urban women. J. Transp. Geogr. 26, 166–174 (2013)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nordbakke, S., Schwanen, T.: Well-being and mobility: a theoretical framework and literature review focusing on older people. Mobilities 9(1), 104–129 (2014). doi:10.1080/17450101.2013.784542

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Norusîs M (2008) SPSS 16. 0: Advanced Statistical Procedures Companion. Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River. Available at: http://www.norusis.com/pdf/ASPC_v13.pdf Last Accessed on 9 March 2013

  • Phillips, D.: Quality of Life: Concept, Policy and Practice. Routledge, London (2006)

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Portacolone, E.: The myth of independence for older Americans living alone in the Bay Area of San Francisco: a critical reflection. Ageing Soc. 31(5), 803–828 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ragland, D.R., Satariano, W.A., MacLeod, K.E.: Driving cessation and increased depressive symptoms. J. Gerontol. Ser. A 60, 399–403 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Risser, R., Haindl, G., Ståhl, A.: Barriers to senior citizens’ mobility in Europe. Eur. J. Ageing 7(2), 69–80 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbloom, S.: Sustainability and automobility among the elderly: an international assessment. Transportation 28, 375–408 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rosenbloom, S.: Report by the chairperson. In: Rosenbloom, S. (ed.) Transport and Ageing of the Population, pp. 5–42. Economic Research Centre, Paris (2000)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ryff, C.D.: Happiness is everything, or is it? Explorations on the meaning of psychological well-being. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 57, 1069–1081 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scheiner, J.: Does the car make elderly people happy and mobile? Settlement structures, car availability and leisure mobility of the elderly. Eur. J. Transp. Infrastruct. Res. 6(2), 151–172 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  • Schwanen, T., Banister, D., Bowling, A.: Independence and mobility in later life. Geoforum 43(6), 1313–1322 (2012)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanen, T., Dijst, M., Dieleman, F.: Leisure trips of senior citizens: determinants of modal choice. Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie 92(3), 347–360 (2001)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanen, T., Páez, A.: The mobility of older people—an introduction. J. Transp. Geogr. 18(5), 591–595 (2010)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwanen, T., Wang, D.: Well-being, context and everyday activities in space and time. Ann. Assoc. Am. Geogr. 104(4), 833–851 (2014)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Scott, D.M., Newbold, K.B., Spinney, J.E.L., Mercado, R., Páez, A., Kanaroglou, P.S.: New insights into senior travel behavior: the Canadian experience. Growth Change 40(1), 140–168 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sen, A.: Capability and well-being. In: Nussbaum, M.C., Sen, A. (eds.) The Quality of Life, pp. 30–53. Oxford University Press, New York (1993)

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Siren, A., Hakamies-Blomqvist, L.: Private car as the grand equaliser? Demographic factors and mobility in Finnish men and women aged 65+. Transp. Res. Part F 7(2), 107–118 (2004)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Spinney, J.E.L., Scott, D.M., Newbold, K.B.: Transport mobility benefits and quality of life: a time-use perspective of elderly Canadians. Transp. Policy 16, 1–16 (2009)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Stanley, J.K., Hensher, D.A., Stanley, J.R., Vella-Brodrick, D.: Mobility, social exclusion and well-being: exploring the links. Transp. Res. Part A 45(8), 789–801 (2011)

    Google Scholar 

  • Tonn, B.E.: A sociopsychological contribution to the theory of individual time-allocation. Environ. Plan. 16, 201–223 (1984a)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tonn, B.E.: The cycle process of decision-heuristic: an application in time-allocation modeling. Environ. Plan. 16, 1197–1220 (1984b)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Veenhoven, R.: Why social policy needs subjective indicators. Soc. Indic. Res. 58, 33–46 (2002)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yamamoto, T., Kitamura, R.: An analysis of time allocation to in-home and out-of-home discretionary activities across working days and non-working days. Transportation 26, 211–230 (1999)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yassuda, M.S., Wilson, J.J., Von Mering, O.: Driving cessation: the perspective of senior drivers. Educ. Gerontol. 23, 525–538 (1997)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Waterman, A.S.: Two conceptions of happiness: contrasts of personal expressiveness (eudaimonia) and hedonic enjoyment. J. Pers. Soc. Psychol. 64, 678–691 (1993)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Windsor, T.D., Anstey, K.J., Butterworth, P., Luszcz, M.A., Andrews, G.R.: The role of perceived control in explaining depressive symptoms associated with driving cessation in a longitudinal study. Gerontologist 47, 215–223 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ziegler, F., Schwanen, T.: “I like to go out to be energised by different people”: an exploratory analysis of mobility and wellbeing in later life. Ageing Soc. 31, 758–781 (2011)

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Transport Economics, Gaustadalléen 21, NO-0349, Oslo, Norway

    Susanne Nordbakke

  2. School of Geography and the Environment, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3QY, UK

    Tim Schwanen

Authors
  1. Susanne Nordbakke
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tim Schwanen
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Susanne Nordbakke.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Nordbakke, S., Schwanen, T. Transport, unmet activity needs and wellbeing in later life: exploring the links. Transportation 42, 1129–1151 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-014-9558-x

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11116-014-9558-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation