Ricerc@Sapienza

This paper has two aims: testing the Perceived Residential Environment Quality Indicators (PREQIs', Bonaiuto et al., 2003) factorial structure and reliability in the French context and testing a three-level model where more specific PREQIs cover the first level, more molar PREQIs about pace of life (i.e., the attribution of qualities such as stimulating vs. boring and relaxing vs. distressing) cover the second level, and neighbourhood attachment represents the final outcome variable.

This study intended to test whether attachment to one's own residential place at neighborhood level could represent a coping response for the elderly (consistently with the "docility hypothesis"; Lawton, 1982), when dealing with the demands of unfamiliar environments, in order to balance their reduction of spatial abilities. Specifically, a sequential path was tested, in which neighborhood attachment was expected to play a buffer role between lowered spatial competence and neighborhood satisfaction.

Non presente