The Interconnectedness of Place and Process in Residential Attachment Among Older Adults: A Four-Leaf Clover Model

Place attachment is linked to older adults’ identity, continuity, security, and aging in place, yet less is known about how its dimensions interact over time. This grounded theory study examined residential attachment among 20 community-dwelling older adults in Taiwan through face-to-face, in-depth interviews. Four interrelated dimensions emerged: identity, dependency, time, and expectation. Their interactions generated self-worth, familiarity and meaning, safety and security, and hope and satisfaction. These findings led to the development of a four-leaf clover model that conceptualizes residential attachment as dynamic, reciprocal, and future-oriented. The model extends dimensional and typological approaches by explaining how place-related dimensions interact to produce additional meanings in later life. Findings support aging-in-place policies and practices that address emotional relationships with residential environments alongside functional and physical supports.relationships with residential environments alongside functional and physical supports.