The Seniors' Outdoor Survey (SOS Tool): comparing ratings and reliability between Italy and the USA. (18th August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Bardenhagen, Eric; Senes, Giulio; Rodiek, Susan; Ferrara, Cristina; Nejati, Adeleh; Fumagalli, Natalia; Giornelli, Antonio; Lee, Chanam
• Is Part Of: Landscape research. Volume 44:Number 6(2019)
• Page Start: 688
• Page End: 701
• Publication Date: 2019-08-18
• Subjects: Access to nature -- outdoor space -- healing garden -- therapeutic green space -- cross-cultural -- ageing -- elderly -- older adults -- environmental assessment -- audit tool; Landscape -- Periodicals; Land use -- Planning -- Periodicals; 719.05
• DOI: 10.1080/01426397.2018.1493445
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-6397

Abstract

ABSTRACT: To test applicability of an environmental assessment instrument in new settings, the ratings and reliability of the SOS Tool were compared in diverse settings with a similar climate: Milan, Italy; and Bryan/College Station, Texas, USA. This instrument evaluates physical environment support for outdoor usage by residents at senior facilities. Two trained raters assigned ratings (using a 1–7 scale) to the 60 instrument items at each setting (Italy: 94 outdoor spaces, 67 facilities; US: 22 outdoor spaces, 12 facilities). Overall mean ratings were similar across both sites (6% difference), and three of the five domains had comparable mean ratings. Mean inter-rater reliability was good in both settings but higher in Italy (ICC = .97 versus .82). Despite geographic/cultural differences, mean ratings for most items and domains were surprisingly similar between Italy and the US. This finding, and the high inter-rater reliability found in both settings, suggest this instrument may be useful in a wide range of settings.