Marianne Abramsson Professor

Contact

Name and title: Marianne AbramssonProfessor

Mail: marianne.abramsson@humangeo.su.se
Phone: +468164829

Workplace: Department of Human Geography Länk till annan webbplats.

Visiting address Room X 307Svante Arrhenius väg 8

Postal address Kulturgeografiska institutionen106 91 Stockholm

About me

Head of Department, Professor in Human Geography, esp Urban and Regional Planning

I teach in the Bachelor’s programs in Urban and Regional planning, Human Geography and Geography as well as in courses in the Master's program.

I am a human geographer particularly interested in housing and residential mobility in different geographical contexts. I do research on the housing careers and housing choices during different phases of life in relation to changes in the housing market and the welfare state. I am interested in people’s housing preferences, possibilities and restrictions and changes in life values over time. In addition to investigating how different individuals move between dwellings and housing areas I am interested in following their housing careers through different stages in the life-cycle. The dwelling and the housing area and experiences in relation to those then become central. During the last years the focus of my research has been on older people as actors in the housing market.

In my research I also study different aspects on ageing in rural areas and in small municipalities. The demography in these areas is changing as the proportion of older people increases at the same time as the population numbers in general decrease. What is ageing like in such a geographical context and what the particular challenges for such municipalities. What are the particular qualities of the countryside?

My interest in issues related to segregation and social justice is also manifest in the research project the Neighbourhood Revisited on spatial polarisation and social cohesion.

Involvement in research projects, current and previous

Current projects

  • Forte Divorce in old age: Predictors and consequences of late life divorce Att skiljas på äldre dar: Orsaker till och konsekvenser av skilsmässa sent i livet, projektledare Linda Kridahl, Sociologiska institutionen, Stockholms universitet.

  • Riksbankens Jubileumsfond The Neighbourhood Revisited: Spatial polarization and social cohesion in contemporary Sweden, programansvarig Bo Malmberg, Kulturgeografiska institutionen.

Previous projects

  • Education attitudes and educational results in a changing educational landscape. Financed by VR, the Swedish Research Council. Principal Investigator Eva Andersson
  • Care supporting self-care by information and communication technology (ICT) for older people with long-term conditions. Co-investigator, financed by Forte, program grant PI Anna Strömberg IMH, Linköping University, start 2014
  • Caring for the oldest in rural areas. Municipal and civil-society networks in semi-rural areas. Co-investigator, financed by CKS (The Centre for Municipality Studies), Linköping University, start 2013
  • Mobility patterns of older people – motives, possibilities and restrictions. Principal Investigator, financed by HI–SIAT (The Swedish Institute of Assistive Technology), 2011
  • Older People in the Swedish Housing Market – Housing Preferences, Choices and Mobility Patterns (2010-2068). Principal investigator, financed by VR, the Swedish Research Council, 2010–2015
  • Changing life and housing patterns among older people. Co-investigator, financed by CKS (The Centre for Municipality Studies), 2008
  • The city and older people’s housing. Research associate, financed by Hyresbostäder Norrköping, 2006–2010

Research networks

  • Collaborating partner in the project Enabling Ageing in Place (AgePlace), Oslo Met, Norge, financed by the Norwegian Research Council, 2025–2026
  • European Network for Housing Research (ENHR), working group on Housing and living conditions of ageing populations, joint coordinator, 2010–
  • Collaborator with the Centre of Excellence in Research on Ageing and Care, CoE AgeCare, University of Jyväskylä, Finland, https://www.jyu.fi/hytk/fi/laitokset/yfi/en/research/projects/agecare
  • Nordic Network for research on older people’s housing, joint coordinator and founder, 2008–2018

 

Publications

Articles in scientific journals

  • Andersson, E K, Malmberg, B & Abramsson, M (2021). School choice and educational attitudes: Spatially uneven neoliberalization in Sweden. Norwegian Journal of Geography,75(3), 142–157.

  • Mahrs Träff, A, Cedersund, E & Abramsson, M (2020). What promotes and What Limits Physical Activity in Assisted Living Facilities? A Study of the Physical Environment’s Design and Significance. Journal of Aging and Environment, 34(3), 291–309. DOI:10.1080/02763893.2019.1683669

  • Abramsson, M & Hagberg, J-E (2020) Housing plans of the oldest: ageing in semi-rural areas in Sweden. Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 35(1), 27–43. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10901-019-09665-z

  • Abramsson, M & Hagberg, J-E (2018). What about community sustainability? - dilemmas of ageing in shrinking semi-rural areas in Sweden. Scottish Geographical Journal 134(4), 103-121

  • Mahrs Träff, A, Cedersund, E & Abramsson, M (2018) Fysisk aktivitet för äldre på särskilda boenden. Om inställningar och handlande i svensk äldreomsorg. Tidskrift för omsorgsforskning 4(2), 165–176.

  • Andersson, E K, Malmberg B & Abramsson, M (2018). Patterns of changing residential preferences during late-adulthood. Ageing & Society, https://doi-org.ezp.sub.su.se/10.1017/S0144686X18000259
  • Mahrs Träff, A, Cedersund, E, Larsson, A-C & Abramsson, M(2018). Approaches to physical activity at assisted living facilities: from the perspective of older people and physiotherapists. European Journal of Physiotherapy, https://doi.org/10.1080/21679169.2018.1465120
  • Berg, J, Levin, L, Abramsson, M & Hagberg, J-E (2015). "I want complete freedom": Car use and everyday mobility among the newly retired. EuropeanTransport Research Review 7(31).
  • Abramsson, M & Andersson E (2015). Changing preferences with ageing - housing choices and housing plans of older people. Housing, Theory & Society, 33(2), 217-241.
  • Abramsson, M & Andersson E (2014) Changing locations - Central or peripheral moves of seniors? Journal of Housing and the Built Environment, 30(4), 535-551.
  • Berg, J, Levin, L, Abramsson, M & Hagberg, J-E (2014). Mobility in the transition to retirement – the intertwining of transportation and everyday projects. Journal of Transport Geography, 38, 48-54.
  • Andersson, E & Abramsson, M (2012). Changing residential mobility rates of older people in Sweden. Ageing and Society 32(6), 963–982.
  • Abramsson, M& Andersson, E (2012). Residential mobility of older people – leaving the house for an apartment, Housing Studies 27(5) 582–604.
  • Abramsson, M(2008). Housing careers in a changing welfare state– a Swedish cohort study, Housing, Theory and Society 25(4) 231–25.

Edited books and reports

  • Abramsson, M, Hydén, L-C & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vem är den äldre? Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige. Rapport för utredningen Nationell kvalitetsplan för äldreomsorgen. Stockholm: Regeringskansliet. http://www.sou.gov.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rapport-Vem-är-den-äldre_Webb.pdf
  • Abramsson, M & Nord, C (2012) Äldres boende - forskningsperspektiv i Norden. Lund: Studentlitteratur
  • Abramsson, M, Hagberg, J-E, Lukkarinen Kvist, M & Nord, C (2009). Rum för åldrande. Essäer om äldres boende. Skrifter från NISAL Nr 1. Norrköping: Linköpings universitet. ISBN 978-91-7393-307-0

 

Book chapters and reports:

  • Abramsson, M, Kelfve, S & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vad kännetecknar de äldre under kommande årtionden? in Abramsson, M, Hydén, L-C & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vem är den äldre? Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige. Rapport för utredningen Nationell kvalitetsplan för äldreomsorgen. Stockholm: Regeringskansliet. http://www.sou.gov.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rapport-Vem-är-den-äldre_Webb.pdf
  • Abramsson, M (2017) Äldre, generationsperspektiv och sociala nätverk, in Abramsson, M, Hydén, L-C & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vem är den äldre? Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige. Rapport för utredningen Nationell kvalitetsplan för äldreomsorgen. Stockholm: Regeringskansliet. http://www.sou.gov.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rapport-Vem-är-den-äldre_Webb.pdf
  • Abramsson, M (2017) Äldre, infrastruktur och boende, in Abramsson, M, Hydén, L-C & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vem är den äldre? Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige. Rapport för utredningen Nationell kvalitetsplan för äldreomsorgen. Stockholm: Regeringskansliet. http://www.sou.gov.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rapport-Vem-är-den-äldre_Webb.pdf
  • Öhman, A & Abramsson, M (2017) Äldres hälsa och livsstil, in Abramsson, M, Hydén, L-C & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vem är den äldre? Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige. Rapport för utredningen Nationell kvalitetsplan för äldreomsorgen. Stockholm: Regeringskansliet. http://www.sou.gov.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rapport-Vem-är-den-äldre_Webb.pdf
  • Kelfve, S & Abramsson, M (2017) Äldres materiella förhållanden, in Abramsson, M, Hydén, L-C & Motel-Klingebiel, A (2017) Vem är den äldre? Äldrebilder i ett åldrande Sverige. Rapport för utredningen Nationell kvalitetsplan för äldreomsorgen. Stockholm: Regeringskansliet. http://www.sou.gov.se/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Rapport-Vem-är-den-äldre_Webb.pdf
  • Elmqvist A, Abramsson, M & Cedersund E (2016). Omsorgen om landsbygdens äldsta. Kommuner och civilsamhälle i fokus [Care of the oldest old. Municipalities and civil society in focus]. Report 2016:05, The Centre for Municipality Studies(CKS), Linköping University
  • Abramsson, M, Elmqvist A & Magnusson Turner, L (2014). Äldres flyttningar och motiv till att flytta och bo kvar.Rapport inom regeringsuppdraget Bo bra på äldre dar, Hjälpmedelsinstitutet, Skrifter från NISAL nr 10, Linköpings University.
  • Abramsson M (2014). Lifestyle Motives as Reasons for Moving to Senior Housing, in Nilsson, G & Blaakilde A L (Eds) Nordic Seniors on the Move. Mobility and Migration in Later Life. Lund Studies in Arts and Cultural Sciences 4, 51–74. (peer reviewed).
  • Abramsson, M & Magnusson Turner, L (2013) Flytta eller bo kvar på äldre dar, i Wiklund, G & Melin, S (Eds) Bo bra på äldre dar, kunskap, kreativitet, kvalitet. Stockholm: AB Svensk Byggtjänst.
  • Sandstedt, E & Abramsson, M (2012) Ny bostadspolitik för att möte en åldrande befolkning, in Abramsson, M & Nord, C (Eds) Äldres boende - forskningsperspektiv i Norden. Lund: Studentlitteratur, 19-33.
  • Abramsson, M & Sandstedt, E (2012) Bostadsmarknad och bostadsformer för andra halvan av livet, in Abramsson, M & Nord, C (Eds) Äldres boende - forskningsperspektiv i Norden. Lund: Studentlitteratur, 155–168.
  • Abramsson, M (2012).Housing careers, in Smith, S J, Elsinga, M, Fox O'Mahony, L, Ong Seow Eng, Wachter, S & Clapham; D (Eds) International Encyclopedia of Housing and Home 3. Oxford: Elsevier, 385–389.
  • Abramsson, M & Hagberg, J-E (2012). Omsorgens skugga - äldres strategier i boendet, in Jeppsson Grassman, E & Whitaker, A (Eds) Åldrande och omsorgens gestaltningar: Mot nya perspektiv. Lund: Studentlitteratur, 125-146.
  • Hagberg, J-E, Abramsson, M & Lukkarinen Kvist, M (2010). Politik för det goda åldrandet. Boendets variationer för äldre och gamla (Policies for prosperous ageing. Variations in housing for older people), in Friberg, T and Thelander, S (Eds) Samtal pågår... från forskare till politiker och tjänstemän i kommuner (Conversations continues.... from researchers to politicians and social servants in municipalities). Report 2010:1, The Centre for Municipality Studies(CKS), Linköping University.
  • Abramsson, M (2009). Mellanboendeformer for äldre – av intresse för såväl de äldre som för bostadsföretagen (Housing for seniors – of interest to older people as well as housing companies), in Jönson, H (Ed) Åldrande, åldersordning, ålderism (Ageing, age range, ageism)Linköping University Interdisciplinary Studies no 2009:10, Linköping.
  • Abramsson, M & Niedomysl, T (2008). Äldre personers flyttningar och boendepreferenser (Residential mobility and housing preferences among older people). Report, The Institute for Future studies for the Committee of Inquiry for Housing for Old People, Swedish Parliament, Stockholm SOU 2008:113, Appendix B.


  • Late-life divorce and housing changes among older men and women in Sweden

    Article
    2025. Juta Kawalerowicz, Marianne Abramsson, Linda Kridahl, Jani Turunen.
    Housing Studies

    As societies age and late-life divorce becomes more common, older adult divorcees will constitute an increasingly important demographic group. Yet, divorce for older adults differs from mid-life divorce. In this paper, we look at housing tenure transitions around the time of divorce and examine the extent to which housing patterns observed for late-life divorce resemble those among mid-life divorcees. We use Swedish register data to analyze housing shifts during divorce for older adults aged 60–78. Using data on the discontinuation of marriages or civil partnerships between 1995 and 2013, we identify 30,000 late-life divorces. We analyze gender differences in the probability of residential mobility and the likelihood of ownership and rental tenure. We find that women are more likely to move. Our study also highlights gender differences in the effects of late-life divorce on homeownership, showing that women are more likely to be tenant owners, while men are more likely to be owners of single-family housing units.

    Read more about Late-life divorce and housing changes among older men and women in Sweden

  • School choice and educational attitudes

    Article
    2021. Eva K. Andersson, Marianne Abramsson, Bo Malmberg.
    Norsk Geografisk Tidsskrift 75 (3), 142-157

    The aim of the article is to use survey evidence of school choice and educational attitudes in Sweden to explore how spatial polarization and liberal school reforms have affected the way parents, pupils, and school management think about education. The authors identify a possible polarization of attitudes in Sweden towards the importance of education in general and schools in particular, against the background of a highly liberalized school market, including school choice and rural-urban regional differences in the population’s education level. The basis for the analysis is TIMSS 2015 data for pupils in Grade 4 (age group 10–11 years). The results showed that localization of the school was a very important factor in school choice and that localization was more important than parental education and social class. Additionally, the authors tested the association between maths results and the variables attitudes, location, school, and household, and found that a household with a lower proportion of tertiary-educated parents in less central locations could make it difficult for pupils to perform well in mathematics. The authors conclude that in Sweden neoliberalization has been a geographically uneven process with a concentration in the metropolitan areas.

    Read more about School choice and educational attitudes

  • Housing plans of the oldest

    Article
    2020. Marianne Abramsson, Jan-Erik Hagberg.
    Journal of Housing and the Built Environment 35 (1), 27-43

    A number of smaller municipalities have decreasing population rates. Generally, the young move out, increasing the proportion of older people. To increase our understanding of the living conditions of an ageing population in small municipalities, a postal survey was conducted in three small, semi-rural municipalities in southern Sweden. In the survey the respondents answered questions about their living situation and their housing plans. The aim of this study was to investigate the housing situation and housing plans of the very old in semi-rural areas and research questions analysed for this study concerned the current housing situation and plans for future housing. A total of 1386 surveys were sent out in March 2014, to all inhabitants aged 80 years or more, residing in the ordinary housing market in the three municipalities, the response rate was 60%. The results show that most of the respondents were firmly rooted in the area as most of them had lived in the municipality for more than 20 years and 60% had lived in their current dwelling for more than 20 years. Ageing in place was the dominating plan, although one quarter of the respondents answered that they did not know what would happen in the future. Those who planned to move wanted to move to housing that required less maintenance and to a more central location. Residential mobility is at play also in old age as 27% of the respondents had moved at some point during the last 10 years, i.e., after the age of 70.

    Read more about Housing plans of the oldest

  • What Promotes and What Limits Physical Activity in Assisted Living Facilities? A Study of the Physical Environment's Design and Significance

    Article
    2020. Annsofie Mahrs Träff, Elisabet Cedersund, Marianne Abramsson.
    Journal of Aging and Environment 34 (3), 291-309

    The design of assisted living facilities is an issue that has engaged architects and contractors since they began building the first residential homes. Previous research has shown that participation in everyday activities promotes wellbeing in older people. Many assisted living facilities have locked units that limit the individual’s ability to move freely. Our interest is directed towards older people’s opportunities to be physically active in assisted living facilities and how the physical environment affects these opportunities. The aim of this study was to increase the understanding of the importance of the physical environment to enable physical activities in assisted living facilities. The empirical material consists of observations and semistructured interviews with thirteen residents and seventeen staff in four assisted living facilities in Sweden. The results show how the physical environment influences the opportunities for physical activity. Certain factors in the physical environment can be both promoting and limiting. An unsuitable environment limits the ability of older people to be physically active.

    Read more about What Promotes and What Limits Physical Activity in Assisted Living Facilities? A Study of the Physical Environment's Design and Significance

Contact

Name and title: Marianne AbramssonProfessor

Mail: marianne.abramsson@humangeo.su.se
Phone: +468164829

Workplace: Department of Human Geography Länk till annan webbplats.

Visiting address Room X 307Svante Arrhenius väg 8

Postal address Kulturgeografiska institutionen106 91 Stockholm

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