Study title

Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA) Survey 2021-2022

Dataset ID Number

FSD3819

Persistent identifiers

https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3819
https://doi.org/10.60686/t-fsd3819

Data Type

Quantitative

Authors

• Åbo Akademi University
• Novia University of Applied Sciences
• Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
• Åland University of Applied Sciences
• Umeå University

Abstract

The data includes a survey collected by the Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA), which has mapped the health and living conditions of Finnish people aged 65 and over. The themes of the survey include activities, civic engagement, social contacts and well-being.

First, respondents reported on their social contacts and their use of the internet. Next, respondents were asked what activities they do and would like to do, and whether the pandemic has affected their activities. They were then asked about being an informal carer and about their financial situation.

Next, respondents assessed the society's attitude towards older people, and their own perception of their age. Respondents reported on their voting activity and their trust in various social institutions and people in their immediate circle. Respondents were asked to describe the characteristics of the area where they live and their views on welfare technologies. Finally, questions were asked on health, well-being, quality of life and functional capacity.

The background variables in the data are gender, age, mother tongue, region of residence, and highest level of education.

Keywords

COVID-19; ageing; care of dependants; elderly; health; hobbies; interpersonal relations; old age; participation; quality of life; well-being (health)

Topic Classification

• Social sciences (Fields of Science Classification)
• General health and well-being (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Elderly (CESSDA Topic Classification)
• Social conditions and indicators (CESSDA Topic Classification)

Series

Individual datasets

Distributor

Finnish Social Science Data Archive

Access

The dataset is (D) available only by permission from the data depositor/creator.

Data Collector

• Åbo Akademi University
• Novia University of Applied Sciences
• Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences
• Åland University of Applied Sciences
• Umeå University

Funders

• Svensk-Österbottniska Samfundet
• Högskolestiftelsen i Österbotten
• Vaasan Aktiasäätiö
• The Swedish Cultural Foundation in Finland
• Regional Council of South Ostrobothnia
• Government of Åland

Time Period Covered

2021 – 2022

Collection Dates

2021 – 2022

Nation

Finland

Geographical Coverage

Finland, South Ostrobothnia, Ostrobothnia, the Åland Islands

Analysis/Observation Unit Type

Individual

Universe

Persons born in 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950 and 1955 in Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Åland Islands

Time Method

Longitudinal: Cohort/Event-based

Sampling Procedure

Total universe/Complete enumeration

Probability: Systematic random

In Ostrobothnia and Åland, the survey was sent to everyone born in 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950 and 1955, except in the city of Vaasa (Ostrobothnia), where every second person was selected. In South Ostrobothnia, approximately every second person born in 1930, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1950 and 1955 was selected. Questionnaires were not sent to elderly people living permanently in intensive care housing, hospitals or nursing homes. The questionnaire was sent in Finnish or Swedish, depending on the recipient's mother tongue indicated in the population register.

The questionnaire were mailed to 14,602 recipients and a total of 6,926 analysable responses were received. The response rate was 47%. In Ostrobothnia, a total of 7 272 people were sent questionnaires, of which 3,363 responded. The response rate was 46%. In South Ostrobothnia, questionnaires were sent to a total of 5,981 recipients, with 2,732 responses. The response rate was 46%. In Åland, questionnaires were sent to a total of 1,349 people, of whom 831 responded. The response rate was 62%.

Collection Mode

Self-administered questionnaire: Paper

Research Instrument

Structured questionnaire

Response Rate

47

Data File Language

Downloaded data package may contain different language versions of the same files.

The data files of this dataset are available in the following languages: Finnish.

FSD translates quantitative data into English on request, free of charge. More information on ordering data translation.

Data Version

1.0

Completeness of Data and Restrictions

In Ostrobothnia, South Ostrobothnia and Åland, separate questionnaires with minor differences have been used. The data are organised according to the questionnaire used in South Ostrobothnia.

Researchers have removed the exact municipal information from respondents from Åland.

To prevent identification of respondents, the municipality variable has been categorised by FSD.

Weighting

There are no weight variables in the data.

Citation Requirement

The data and its creators shall be cited in all publications and presentations for which the data have been used. The bibliographic citation may be in the form suggested by the archive or in the form required by the publication.

Bibliographical Citation

Åbo Akademi University & Novia University of Applied Sciences & Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences & Åland University of Applied Sciences & Umeå University: Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA) Survey 2021-2022 [dataset]. Version 1.0 (2024-05-28). Finnish Social Science Data Archive [distributor]. https://urn.fi/urn:nbn:fi:fsd:T-FSD3819

Deposit Requirement

Notify FSD of all publications where you have used the data by sending the citation information to user-services.fsd@tuni.fi.

Disclaimer

The original data creators and the archive bear no responsibility for any results or interpretations arising from the reuse of the data.

Other Material

See downloadable files at the top of the page.

More information and an up-to-date list of publications on the Gerontological Regional Database (GERDA) website

Related Publications

Nyqvist, F., Nilsson, I., Näsman, M. & Olofsson, B. (2023). The association between leisure engagement and loneliness before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: A Nordic population-based study. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. doi:10.1177/14034948231171964

Boman, E. (2023). Hälsa och livsvillkor bland äldre män och kvinnor på Åland 2022. Del 3. En delrapport med fokus på åldersuppfattning och diskriminering, fötroende för samhällsinstitutioner, delaktighet och närståendevård. Högskolan på Ålands publikationsserie nr 2023:3.

Boman, E. (2023). Hälsa och livsvillkor bland äldre män och kvinnor på Åland 2022. Del 2. Psykisk hälsa med inriktning på förutsättningar för psykiskt välbefinnande, kriser, ensamhet, nedstämdhet samt alkoholkonsumtion. Högskolan på Ålands publikationsserie nr 2023:2.

Boman, E. (2023). Hälsa och livsvillkor bland äldre män och kvinnor på Åland 2022. Del 1. Socioekonomiska variabler och hälsa i allmänhet - med inriktning på fysisk hälsa, aktivitet och sjukdomar samt användning av vård, tjänster och välfärdsteknologi. Högskolan på Ålands publikationsserie nr 2023:1.

Valkama, K., Turunen, K.,Tuuri, H. & Katajavirta, M. (2022). Toimintakykyä tukemaan - yli 65-vuotiaiden eteläpohjalaisten näkemyksiä hyvinvoinnistaan: maakunnallinen selvitys ikääntyneiden tilanteesta palveluja tarjoavien yritysten tueksi. Seinäjoen ammattikorkeakoulun julkaisusarja B. Raportteja ja selvityksiä. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi-fe2022112266416

Vaartio-Rajalin H., Snellman F., Gustafsson Y., Rauhala A. & Viklund E. (2023). Understanding Health, Subjective Aging, and Participation in Social Activities in Later Life: A Regional Finnish Survey. Journal of Applied Gerontology. doi: 10.1177/07334648231214940