Perceived neighborhood environment and depressive symptoms among older adults living in Urban China

The mediator role of social capital

Bibliographic Data

ID12288520
AuthorsHan Mao (0000-0002-7357-5265, Department of Social Work and Social Policy School of Sociology and Population Studies Renmin University of China Beijing China), Nan Lu (0000-0001-5452-3366, Department of Social Work and Social Policy School of Sociology and Population Studies Renmin University of China Beijing China, corresponding author), Chunhui Xiao (Department of Spanish Language and Literature School of Foreign Languages Renmin University of China Beijing China)
Year2021
Volume30
Issue5
Pagese1977-e1990
Publication date2021-11-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth & Social Care in the Community (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0966-0410 • E-ISSN: 1365-2524
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/hsc.13631
PMID34725894
OpenAlexW3208694452
LanguageEN
Citations received11
References cited57

An increasing number of studies have focused on the relationship between neighbourhood environment and depressive symptoms among older people. However, the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This study examined the association between neighbourhood environment and depressive symptoms among older urban Chinese adults and the mediator role of social capital in this association. Using a quota sampling approach, 472 respondents aged 60 years or older were recruited from 23 urban communities of Shanghai, China, in 2020. Depressive symptoms were measured with the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale. Social capital was measured by two latent constructs: cognitive social capital (e.g., trust, reciprocity, belongingness) and structural social capital (e.g., memberships, social participation). Perceived physical neighbourhood environment was assessed in terms of health care, security, and public transportation status. Structural equation modelling was conducted to test the study hypotheses. Health care services in the community had a direct effect on depressive symptoms (β = -0.097, p < .05). Cognitive social capital played a mediator role in the relationship between physical neighbourhood environment and depressive symptoms (community health care: β = -0.124, p < .01; community security: β = -0.284, p < .01). The mediator effect of structural social capital in the relationship between physical neighbourhood environment and depressive symptoms was not significant. The findings highlight the role of physical neighbourhood environment in fostering community-based social capital and promoting mental health among older adults in urban China. Policy strategies could focus on improving community health care and security to promote mental health

Anxiety · China · Depressive symptoms · Geography · Mediator · Psychiatry · Social capital · Sociology · Health and Well-being Studies · Health and Wellbeing Research · Health disparities and outcomes · Medicine · Psychology · Gerontology

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