Liu, Xinran
(2024)
Use of Mobility Devices among Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Comparison Between the United States and China.
Doctoral Dissertation, University of Pittsburgh.
(Unpublished)
Abstract
Mobility devices are designed to improve the activities and participation of individuals with mobility disability and are widely adopted by older adults worldwide. The use of mobility devices in community settings is a complex and modifiable health behavior influenced by various factors, impacting all domains of users' well-being. This dissertation investigates the use of and attitudes towards mobility devices among community-dwelling older adults in the United States and China, through a mixed-methods approach.
Paper One describes the trajectories of mobility device use and examines its impact on social well-being among U.S. community-dwelling older adults, using data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) waves 1-9 (2010-2019). By matching incident long-term mobility device users with comparable non-users and applying mixed-effects models within the NHATS late-life disability framework, the study assesses the long-term effects of mobility device use on users' social well-being.
Paper Two conducts a cross-national and cultural comparison of mobility device use and related characteristics between community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. and China, using harmonized data from the 2015 NHATS and the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS).
Paper Three explores user experiences and attitudes toward mobility devices through semi-structured interviews with older mobility device users in a Beijing community.
The key findings of this dissertation reveal: (a) Mobility device use among community-dwelling older adults involves short durations, combination use, and frequent changes; (b) Mobility device use does not significantly mitigate the decline in social participation for community-dwelling older adults; (c) Mobility devices, especially walkers and wheelchairs, are more prevalently used by older adults in the U.S. compared to China, and Chinese older device users are more likely to reside in rural areas; and (d) In China, mobility device service provision is scarce, and older adults prefer non-motorized, multifunctional devices.
These dissertation findings suggest implications for mobility device services and policies, advocating for rental and recycling programs to accommodate dynamic usage patterns, the development of new designs tailored to older adults' needs, and a supportive environment for mobility device use, considering modifiable factors like physical environment and personal assistance, guiding future implementation studies in this field.
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Details
| Item Type: |
University of Pittsburgh ETD
|
| Status: |
Unpublished |
| Creators/Authors: |
|
| ETD Committee: |
|
| Date: |
26 June 2024 |
| Date Type: |
Publication |
| Defense Date: |
7 June 2024 |
| Approval Date: |
26 June 2024 |
| Submission Date: |
18 June 2024 |
| Access Restriction: |
2 year -- Restrict access to University of Pittsburgh for a period of 2 years. |
| Number of Pages: |
281 |
| Institution: |
University of Pittsburgh |
| Schools and Programs: |
School of Public Health > Behavioral and Community Health Sciences |
| Degree: |
PhD - Doctor of Philosophy |
| Thesis Type: |
Doctoral Dissertation |
| Refereed: |
Yes |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: |
Assistive Technology, Mobility Disability, Aging |
| Date Deposited: |
26 Jun 2024 19:28 |
| Last Modified: |
26 Jun 2024 19:28 |
| URI: |
http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/id/eprint/46584 |
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