Mobility at Old Age : The predictive power of perceived car-dependence on the moving plans of elderly Swedes

Sammanfattning: The aim of this thesis is to examine if perceived car-dependence is a predictor of the moving plans of elderly Swedes. And, if such predictive power by perceived car-dependence is found, whether this predictive power differs between geographical areas (i.e. rural, urban, or smaller community) and age groups. In a qualitative Swedish study, car-dependence was found to be one of the variables that created a will to move among elderly Swedes (Svensson, Ståhl, and Wretstrand, 2012), in this thesis this outcome has been tested statistically. The aim has been explored by conducting multinomial regression analyses. Eight models have been designed to test the predictive power of perceived car-dependence on the elderly’s plans to move, while controlling for other more commonly used variables. The results show that perceived car-dependence is a significant predictor of the moving plans of elderly Swedes. In all three areas (urban, smaller communities and rural) perceiving oneself as being car-dependent increases the likelihood of having concrete moving plans, and it increases uncertainty if a move might be necessary. Also, in all ages, perceived car-dependence increases the likelihood that one has concrete moving plans, and doubts if one can continue living in one’s current dwelling.