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International Journal of Research in Management Studies (IJRMS), Vol. 4, No. I, October 2014

A study on the residential satisfaction among

the elderly in Chennai
P.Balathandayutham and Dr.R.Sritharan

Abstract - Residential satisfaction has become one of the key problems for companies in their profile to
improve value in the aggressive market. The present study is on residential satisfaction among the elderly people
living in apartments. Objective of this study was to identify the residential satisfaction of elderly people and to
identify the relationship between family income and overall satisfaction. 150 usable questionnaires were issued to
people who were living in Chennai. Respondents stated their satisfaction rate for family income and age.
Demographics measured in this study included age and family income. Analysis was performed using the chi-
square and one way ANOVA analysis to compare the mean responses for the customer groups. The research
hypothesis framed and concluded shows a positive relationship between Age and Housing Satisfaction and a
positive relationship between Family Income and overall Satisfaction. The findings of this study indicates that
independent variables such as age and family income have a significant relationship with the level of satisfaction
and with the service offered by the real estate promoters. The elderly respondents are highly satisfied in the
apartment dwelling compared to younger respondents.
Keywords : Residential Satisfaction, Customer Satisfaction
I- INTRODUCTION
Satisfaction in dwelling (ie) housing satisfaction is an important element of one’s satisfaction in life. Due to the
increase in population, people need more residence to occupy for living. Scarcity of land in Chennai has force to
people to purchase house even though the residence is of very high value. In this context, the residents have lower
satisfaction with the urban environments and housing conditions. This increasing need of search for houses helps in
giving rise of many apartment industries. It goes without saying that success of any industry depends on the
satisfaction of customers. Similarly apartment promoter succeeds only if meets the needs of its customers.
The present study deals with residential satisfaction of elderly people. After retirement, elderly people would
like to settle in a very peaceful manner. So they go in for a house purchase with all facilities and those with safety.
Many elderly people go in for an apartment purchase just because separate houses make their life more lonely.
Satisfaction as a method of assessment between perceived and exceed parker and mathews5. Particularly, Most of
the elderly apartment residents are satisfaction with their flat compare to younger. This research inline with
djeharni and Al-Abed.

_____________________________
P.Balathandayutham Assistant professor, Business Administration, Annamalai University
Dr.R.Sritharan, Assistant professor, Business Administration, Annamalai University

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International Journal of Research in Management Studies (IJRMS), Vol. 4, No. I, October 2014

II. Background
Chennai is referred to set as one example of India’s transforming economy. It has been noted that Chennai’s
central area is getting more and more populated when compared to its outer area. In the recent past several
researches have been carried out to study about the housing markets in India. The conclusions of these studies
present in detail about the effects of urban planning and development control regulations on the spatial
development of the country’s leading urban regions.

This paper is organized into five sections. Section 1 gives the introduction, background and objectives of the
study. Section 2 includes reviews of the satisfaction and theory and related empirical studies on housing
satisfaction. Section 3 discusses the research methodology, section 4 is analysis and interpretations of the study and
section 5 discusses the findings, implications and recommendations.

III. REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A research was done by Bin1 titled “A study of residential condition and satisfaction of the elderly in China”.
Main aim of this research was to investigate the current housing condition and satisfaction of the elderly in China.
Data were collected from aged 60 and older people and a total of 692 samples were collected. This study used one
way ANOVA and regression analysis were performed to analyze the data. There was no significant difference in
residential satisfaction of elderly people and there were significant difference that existed in housing conditions of
rural and urban elderly people.
Varady et al.2 have done a research work titled “Voucher Recipient Achievement of Improved Housing
Conditions In The US: Do Moving Distance And Relocation Services Matter?”. This research aim was to improve
housing conditions and satisfaction of US residents.
From the analysis, results were extracted. Finding of this research was that the elderly people were satisfied with
housing condition and also that they were more satisfied with their homes when compared with the younger
residents.
Galster3 has explained about housing satisfactions, which were perceived gap between a respondent’s needs
and aspiration and the reality of the current residential context. This research’s focus was to identify the housing
satisfaction of the resident. The research results were found that when compared to young, the elderly have the
lower aspiration and elderly were more satisfied than younger.
A research was conducted by Schwirian & Schwirian4 titled “Neighboring, residential satisfaction, and
psychological wellbeing in urban elders”. Main aim of this research was neighborhood and residential satisfaction
of urban elderly. From the analysis, the results were taken out and concluded that the high income group peoples
are having high level of satisfaction and compared to younger, elderly have higher residential satisfaction.

IV. RESEARCH METHODS

This study was conducted among apartment users. The study was conducted during the year may, 2012. Data
was collected through a survey conducted in the metropolitan area of Chennai. The questionnaire addressed several
housing related issues and respondents also provided socio demographic information. Demographics measured in
this study included age, gender and family income. Analysis was performed using the chi-square test and ANOVA
to compare the mean responses for the customer groups.

A. Objectives
to identify the residential satisfaction of elderly people.

to identify the relationship between family income and overall satisfaction

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International Journal of Research in Management Studies (IJRMS), Vol. 4, No. I, October 2014

V. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

Consolidated table shows the result of Chi-Square test

Chi square Table

Factors DF Sig. Result (5% level)
value value
Age 54.213 16.27 3 0.000 Significant
Family Income 103.040 20.52 5 0.000 Significant
The above Chi- Squre test table had shows that age and family income were significant. For this purpose,
personal factors comprising age and family income were grouped under one head to find its influence over the
level of satisfaction of the customer about the apartment usage. For testing the level of significance at 5% level the
null hypothesis were framed. Results are given in the table. Two independent variable age and family income have
a significant relationship with the level of satisfaction.

Oneway ANOVA
Descriptive
Overall satisfaction
Std.
Age N Mean Deviation F Sig.
below 30 15 3.73 1.033
31- 40 58 3.07 .769
41-50 62 3.98 .689 17.646 .000
above 50 15 4.00 .000
Total 150 3.61 .843

Table proves ANOVA for overall satisfaction with respect to age. In order to find the significant difference
among the respondents with respect to their age, ANOVA result implies that significant difference exists among
the respondents with respect to their age towards overall satisfaction (F=17.646; p=0.000). That is, the opinion of
Above 50 age group respondents (Mean=4.00, S.D=0.000) is significantly different from 31 to 40 age group
respondents (Mean=3.07, S.D=0.769), which means that the elderly respondents are highly satisfied with the
overall satisfaction compared to young respondents.

Oneway ANOVA
Descriptive
Overall satisfaction
Std.
Income N Mean Deviation F Sig.
Below Rs.15000 6 2.67 1.506 16.202 .000
Rs. 15001- 25000 65 3.23 .786
Rs.25001 --35000 30 3.53 .507
Rs.35001-45000 30 4.43 .568
45001-55000 3 4.00 .000
Above 55000 16 4.00 .000
Total 150 3.61 .843

Table proves ANOVA for Overall satisfaction with respect to income. ANOVA result implies that significant
difference exists among the respondents with respect to their income towards overall satisfaction (F=16.202;
p=0.000). That is, the opinion of income Rs 35001 to 45000 group respondents (Mean=4.43, S.D=0.568) is
significantly different from below Rs 15000 group respondents (Mean=2.67, S.D=1.506), which means that the

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International Journal of Research in Management Studies (IJRMS), Vol. 4, No. I, October 2014

middle income group respondents are highly satisfied with the overall satisfaction compared to low income group
respondents.

VI. FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

Recognizing that both satisfaction and dissatisfaction might exist in later life, the survey asked the elderly
respondents about the things they were satisfied with and the things that dissatisfied them. This study finds that
relationship of age and family income influences residential satisfaction. This study was measured through the One
way ANOVA and Chi-Square.
This study summarized a few features of residential satisfaction of the elderly and the relationship between
family income and overall satisfaction. Independent variable of age and family income have a significant
relationship with the level of satisfaction and with the service offered by the real estate promoters. The elderly
respondents are highly satisfied with the overall satisfaction compared to young respondents.
This study provides useful information for real estate promoters to achieve their goals. This study reveals that
two independent variables of age and family income have a significant relationship with the level of satisfaction
and with the service offered by the real estate promoters. Elderly people are highly satisfied with the overall
satisfaction when compared to the young. Poor housing conditions increase the risk of severe ill-health or disability
to the elderly, a greater chance of suffering mental health problems and problems with behavior and increased risk
of asthma, which is linked to coronary heart disease
Affordability is an outstanding issue, and the government should decrease the housing interest for the elderly.
Researchers and policy makers must pay more attention to the needs of the disadvantaged elderly including those
living in the apartment. Community building has made progress, but more community facilities and services are
needed for the elderly, particularly for the disabled. The study conducted in this paper exhibits the overall
satisfaction regarding age and income. Though this research shows satisfaction level of elderly people, many more
researches can be done regarding the recreational amenities which can be provided to them, which will increase
their overall satisfaction level towards apartment dwelling.

REFERENCE
1. Bin Li a & Sheying Chen (2011). A Study of Residential Condition and Satisfaction of the Elderly in
China, Journal of Housing for the Elderly, Volume 25, issue 1, pp. 72-88, 08 November 2011.
2. Djebarni, R. and Al-Abed, A. (2000). Satisfaction Level With Neighbourhoods in Low income Public
Housing inYemen, Property Management, 18(4): 230-239.
3. Francescato, G., Weidemann, S., and Anderson, J.R. (1987). Residential satisfaction: Its uses and
limitations in housing research, in Housing and Neighbourhoods: Theoretical and Empirical
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4. Galster, G. (1987). Homeowners and Neighborhood Reinvestment. Durham, NC: Duke University Press.
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9. Varady, D.P. and Preiser, W.F.E. (1998). Scattered-Site Public Housing and Housing Satisfaction:
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10. Varady, D.P. Walker, C.C. and Wang, X. (2001). Voucher Recipient Achievement of Improved Housing
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