Person—Environment (P—E) Fit Models and Psychological Well-Being Among Older Persons in Hong Kong

Abstract

Conceptualizations of person—environment (P—E) fit were examined in a range of residential environments in Hong Kong by comparing three P—E models: the congruence model, the priority model, and a modified version of a model from Massam (2002). The study aimed to identify how older people perceive their fit with their living environment in Hong Kong, a predominantly Chinese society. Older residents in old urban areas and new towns were compared on how they utilized and related to their environments. Three environmental domains (structural, informal, and formal) were used to assess the extent of P—E fit. A short version of WHOQoL (as a measure of psychological well-being, PWB) was used as the dependent variable in the regression model. Irrespective of demographic variables and location of residence, the congruence model provided the best account.