The Cross-Sectional and Longitudinal Association Between Perceived Neighborhood Walkability Characteristics and Depressive Symptoms in Older Latinos

Abstract

Objectives Evaluate the cross-sectional and longitudinal association between perceived walkability-related neighborhood characteristics (e.g., traffic safety) and depressive symptoms among community-dwelling older Latino adults. Methods We used baseline, 12-month, and 24-month in-person interview data collected from Latinos aged ≥60 years participating in an exercise intervention at 27 senior centers (n=570). Results In cross-sectional analyses, lower perceived neighborhood crime, indicative of greater neighborhood walkability, was associated with a lower odds of elevated symptoms of depression [OR=0.90; 95%CI=0.82, 0.996; p=0.04] after adjusting for demographic characteristics, linguistic acculturation, and medical comorbidities. Associations between Neighborhood Environment Walkability scales and incident depressive symptoms at 12- and/or 24-months were not statistically significant, but the point estimate for crime safety was consistent with cross-sectional findings [OR=0.83; 95%CI=0.64, 1.07; p=0.16], suggesting a protective effect for lower perceived neighborhood crime. Discussion Lower perceived neighborhood crime is associated with reduced presence of elevated symptoms of depression in older Latinos.

Polish Version of the Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (NEWS-Poland)

“…There is also some evidence for a link between contextual factors and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [31], with surveys indicating that neighbourhood crime and unsafe traffic are associated with depressive symptoms [57], but lower perceived neighbourhood crime served as a protective factor [29]. Despite numerous studies indicating the impact of neighbourhood disorder and fear of crime on health and wellbeing, the role of aesthetics and safety from traffic seems to be underestimated, especially in the Polish context.…”

“…In addition, easy access to convenient public transportation and to cultural and leisure amenities also promotes happiness [28]. Previous research has found that a lower perceived level of neighbourhood crime, indicative of greater neighbourhood walkability, was related to lower symptoms of depression among older Latinos [29]. In a similar vein, the perceived far proximity to facilities via walking [30] and unsafe traffic [31] contributed to depressive symptoms among elders.…”

Neighborhood Social Resources and Depressive Symptoms: Longitudinal Results from the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

“…Similarly, other work has examined the ways in which social characteristics (e.g., social cohesion, safety) 9,13-20 may be associated with depression or depressive symptoms. Cross-sectional and longitudinal studies have found that residents of neighborhoods with higher SES, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]21 greater social cohesion, 9,13,14,16,18,20 and higher levels of safety 14,15,[17][18][19]22 have fewer depressive symptoms and are protected from onset of depression. However, most of these studies are limited by the use of exposures from only one time point, restricting their ability to examine how changes in these environments may impact changes in depression.…”

Association of neighbourhood social and physical attributes with depression in older adults in Hong Kong: a multilevel analysis

“…By contrast, the other three neighbourhood social attributes were found to be less consistently associated with depression (ie, some studies found positive effects, while others negative effects) 12. Compared with the neighbourhood social attributes, the influence of neighbourhood physical (built environment) attributes on depression in older adults was less investigated and previous findings were inconsistent; furthermore, very few previous studies simultaneously investigated neighbourhood social and physical attributes regarding their potential effects on depression 9 13. It is well known that the prevalence of depression is higher in women than in men14; however, very few studies have examined whether the effects of neighbourhood-level factors would differ in women and men, that is, a cross-level gender interactions examination regarding the effects of neighbourhood-level factors on depression 9…”