Neighborhood Environment and the Wellbeing of Older Tenants in Planned Housing

Abstract

The relationship between neighborhood characteristics and the well-being of elderly tenants was studied through a national area probability sample of 153 planned housing environments and over 3000 tenants in them. Six indices of tenants' psychological and social well-being were used as dependent variables in hierarchical multiple regressions where neighborhood characteristics were entered after personal factors were controlled. Neighborhood environmental factors accounted for a significant proportion of the residual variance in every index of well-being. In general, quiet neighborhoods in small or middle sized communities where the risk of crime was low were conductive to active and satisfying lives for older people. Well-being tended to be higher in segregated buildings even with other factors such as exposure to crime controlled. Although these residual effects were often small it was concluded that environmentally based interventions could significantly enhance wellbeing and in many instances have more widespread effectiveness than time-consuming attempts to change the individual.

Living alone and depression: the modifying role of the perceived neighborhood environment

“…There is a growing body of literature that demonstrates strong links between neighborhood characteristics and mental health and well-being in older adults (Cramm & Nieboer, 2015; Elliott, Gale, Parsons, & Kuh, 2014; Lawton, Nahemow, & Yeh, 1980; Truong & Ma, 2006; Yen, Michael, & Perdue, 2009). For example, accessibility to resources in one’s neighborhood (Lawton et al, 1980), perceived neighborhood safety (Roh et al, 2011), socioeconomic composition (Yen et al, 2009), and the built environment (accessible sidewalks, green spaces; Truong & Ma, 2006) are all associated with good mental health. In addition to the physical aspect of one’s neighborhood, feelings of neighborhood belonging, and social cohesion are also associated with good mental health (Elliott et al, 2014).…”

Companionship in the Neighborhood Context

“…Examinations of the association between neighborhood context and social outcomes among older adults were prevalent in the late 1970s and early 1980s (Carp, 1976; Kasl & Rosenfield, 1980; Lawton, 1976; Lawton, Nahemow, & Yeh, 1980). Although there has been a resurgence in neighborhood-based research, particularly in relation to crime and disadvantage (e.g., Sampson, Raudenbush, & Earls, 1997; Wen, Browning, & Cagney, 2003; Wilson, 1987), few empirical studies have investigated social outcomes such as companionship or friendship.…”

Neighborhoods and disability in later life

“…Other social factors, such as crime or social isolation, may exert their influence partly through a psychological stress-response, which may be stronger for women (Seeman et al, 2001). For example, fear of crime (Lawton, Nahemow & Yeh, 1980;Rohe & Burby, 1988;Krause, 1996) or social isolation and segregation (Acevedo-Garcia & Lochner, 2003;Williams & Collins, 2005) may lead to psychological distress, which may in turn lead to functional decline. We expect that areas with more social connectedness will yield better functioning and less disability, and that women will receive particular benefit.…”