Uncovering Perceived Barriers to the Acceptance of Retirement Villages in Malaysia: A Factor Analytic Approach

Population aging is reshaping housing and care systems, yet retirement village (RV) acceptance remains limited in Malaysia. This study examines perceived barriers influencing attitudinal acceptance of RVs using a cross-sectional survey of 142 adults in Klang Valley. Exploratory factor analysis identified five barrier dimensions: environmental and service quality, financial capability and affordability, regulatory and policy support, psychosocial, and socio-cultural factors. Environmental and financial barriers were most salient. The findings show that perceived barriers cluster into interconnected dimensions, providing an integrated understanding of RV acceptance and implications for gerontological social work, age-friendly environments, and policy development in emerging aging societies.