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Neighborhood atmosphere modifies the eudaimonic impact of cohesion and friendship among older adults: A multilevel mixed-methods study

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  • Gan, Daniel R.Y.
  • Fung, John Chye
  • Cho, Im Sik

Abstract

A growing body of research on community gerontology suggests that interventions in the neighborhood may promote older adults' wellbeing. Drawing on Costello's community (2014) and phenomenology of atmosphere, we examine contextual moderators of the relationship between neighborhood quality and older adults' mental wellbeing in high-density urban areas. We used mixed methods. Quantitative data were collected from 601 community-dwelling adults over age fifty, using a comprehensive measure of neighborhood perception, which includes neighborhood cohesion, friendship and the physical environment. Positive aspects of participants' mental health were also measured. Regression analysis was conducted. Based on quantitative data, four types of neighborhoods were identified. Interviews and focus groups were conducted to understand their differences using comparative thematic analysis. Better neighborhood experience improves older adults' mental health. This association persists after controlling for a range of covariates including depressive symptoms. At the neighborhood level, neighborhoods of higher quality have significantly better aggregated mental health scores after controlling for depressive symptoms. Three themes were identified from qualitative data, namely sense of self, sense of community, and neighborhood atmosphere. Poor neighborhood atmosphere limited the extent to which the neighborhood improves the mental health of older adults. In neighborhoods where positive neighborly interactions prevailed over individual adversities, older adults exhibited better mental health. Neighborhood atmosphere is an important contextual factor which structures how older adults may benefit from spending time in the neighborhood. Enhancing a sense of community in the neighborhood could improve older adults' mental health. Age-friendly interventions in urban contexts should examine neighborhood atmosphere.

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  • Gan, Daniel R.Y. & Fung, John Chye & Cho, Im Sik, 2021. "Neighborhood atmosphere modifies the eudaimonic impact of cohesion and friendship among older adults: A multilevel mixed-methods study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 270(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:270:y:2021:i:c:s0277953621000149
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2021.113682
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Harpa Stefansdottir, 2018. "The role of urban atmosphere for non-work activity locations," Journal of Urban Design, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(3), pages 319-335, May.
    2. Elizabeth A. Markle & Rachel Rodgers & William Sanchez & Mary Ballou, 2015. "Social support in the cohousing model of community: a mixed-methods analysis," Community Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(5), pages 616-631, December.
    3. Young, Anne F. & Russell, Anne & Powers, Jennifer R., 2004. "The sense of belonging to a neighbourhood: can it be measured and is it related to health and well being in older women?," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 59(12), pages 2627-2637, December.
    4. J. D. Carpentieri & Jane Elliott & Caroline E. Brett & Ian J. Deary, 2017. "Adapting to Aging: Older People Talk About Their Use of Selection, Optimization, and Compensation to Maximize Well-being in the Context of Physical Decline," The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, The Gerontological Society of America, vol. 72(2), pages 351-361.
    5. Elliott, Jane & Gale, Catharine R. & Parsons, Samantha & Kuh, Diana, 2014. "Neighbourhood cohesion and mental wellbeing among older adults: A mixed methods approach," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 44-51.
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    1. Ng, Ted Kheng Siang & Gan, Daniel R.Y. & Mahendran, Rathi & Kua, Ee Heok & Ho, Roger C-M, 2021. "Social connectedness as a mediator for horticultural therapy's biological effect on community-dwelling older adults: Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).

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