Associations of neighborhood problems and neighborhood social cohesion with mental health and health behaviors: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

Association of Cardiovascular Fibrosis, Remodeling, and Dysfunction With Frailty, Prefrailty, and Functional Performance: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis

BACKGROUND

Cardiovascular disease is associated with higher incidence of frailty. However, the nature of the mechanisms underlying this association remains unclear. The purpose of this study is to identify cardiovascular phenotypes most associated with physical frailty and functional performance in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA).

METHODS

As part of the MESA study, 3 045 participants underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance and computed tomography between 2010 and 2012. Of these, 1 743 completed a Six-Minute Walk test (6MWT) and questionnaires (follow-up exam: 2016-2018) which were used to generate a binary combined frail/prefrail versus robust score according to a modified FRAIL Scale (self-report questionnaire). Multivariable logistic (binary frail outcome) or linear (6MWT) regression assessed the association between frailty and cardiovascular structure and function, aortic stiffness, coronary artery calcium, and myocardial fibrosis (ECV, extracellular volume fraction).

RESULTS

Participants were 66 ± 8 years, 52% female at the time of imaging, and 29.4% were classified as frail or prefrail. Older age and female gender were associated with greater odds of being in the frail/prefrail group. Concentric left ventricular remodeling (odds ratio [OR] 1.89, p = .008; Coef. -52.9, p < .001), increased ECV (OR 1.10, p = .002; Coef. -4.0, p = .001), and worsening left atrial strain rate at early diastole (OR 1.56, p ≤ .001; Coef. -22.75, p = .027) were found to be associated with a greater likelihood of being in a frail state and lower 6MWT distance (m). All associations with 6MWT performance were attenuated with adjustments for risk factors whereas ECV and LA strain rate remained independently associated with frailty.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest a significant overlap in pathways associated with subclinical cardiac dysfunction, cardiovascular fibrosis, and physical frailty.

Connecting to Community: A Social Identity Approach to Neighborhood Mental Health

ACADEMIC ABSTRACT

Integrative theorizing is needed to advance our understanding of the relationship between where a person lives and their mental health. To this end, we introduce a social identity model that provides an integrated explanation of the ways in which social-psychological processes mediate and moderate the links between neighborhood and mental health. In developing this model, we first review existing models that are derived primarily from a resource-availability perspective informed by research in social epidemiology, health geography, and urban sociology. Building on these, the social identity model implicates neighborhood identification in four key pathways between residents' local environment and their mental health. We review a wealth of recent research that supports this model and which speaks to its capacity to integrate and extend insights from established models. We also explore the implications of the social identity approach for policy and intervention.

PUBLIC ABSTRACT

We need to understand the connection between where people live and their mental health better than we do. This article helps us do this by presenting an integrated model of the way that social and psychological factors affect the relationship between someone's neighborhood and their mental health. This model builds on insights from social epidemiology, health geography, and urban sociology. Its distinct and novel contribution is to point to the importance of four pathways through which neighborhood identification shapes residents' mental health. A large body of recent research supports this model and highlights its potential to integrate and expand upon existing theories. We also discuss how our model can inform policies and interventions that seek to improve mental health outcomes in communities.

Connected communities: Perceived neighborhood social cohesion during adolescence and subsequent health and well-being in young adulthood-An outcome-wide longitudinal approach

Does higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion in adolescence lead to better health and well-being 10-12 years later? We evaluated this question using data from a large, prospective, and nationally representative sample of US adolescents (Add Health; N = 10,963), and an outcome-wide approach. Across 38 outcomes, perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with some: mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, perceived stress), psychological well-being outcomes (i.e., happiness, optimism), social outcomes (i.e., loneliness, romantic relationship quality, satisfaction with parenting), and civic/prosocial outcomes (i.e., volunteering). However, it was not associated with health behaviors nor physical health outcomes. These results were maintained after robust control for a wide range of potential confounders.

The Dynamic Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space in Diverse Communities: Opportunities and Challenges to Public Health

Social cohesion is a key factor within social determinants of health and well-being. Urban green spaces can provide environments that potentially facilitate meaningful and positive social interactions that promote social cohesion, equity, human health, and well-being. However, the lack of integration of existing research on social cohesion, urban green spaces, and public health in diverse (e.g., racially and ethnically) communities limits culturally relevant strategies to address health disparities. In this manuscript, we synthesize research on the potential of urban green spaces to promote social cohesion and public health in historically excluded communities. Particularly, we explore the development of social cohesion as it relates to the social environment, built environment, leisure opportunities, green space maintenance, safety, and green gentrification. We highlight key factors and their application to meet opportunities and challenges to social and public health. A conceptual framework is presented to provide an overview and illustrate connections found in the literature.

Neighborhood Vigilance in Terms of Abstinence Expectancies for Smoking and Severity of Problems When Quitting

Background: Although social determinants of health (SDoH) have increasingly been understood as clinically important factors in the onset, maintenance, and relapse of substance use behavior, little research has evaluated neighborhood vigilance in terms of smoking. Objectives: The present investigation sought to evaluate the role of neighborhood vigilance in terms of smoking abstinence expectancies (i.e., perceived consequences of refraining from smoking, including negative mood, somatic symptoms, harmful consequences, and positive consequences) and severity of problems when trying to quit among adults who smoke. Results: Participants included 93 treatment-seeking people who smoke (45.2 years of age and 29% identified as female). Results: indicated that greater levels of neighborhood vigilance were associated with negative mood and harmful consequences abstinence expectancies. No effect was evident for somatic symptom abstinence expectancies after Bonferroni correction. Conclusions: As expected, neighborhood vigilance was not predictive of positive abstinence expectancies, offering explanatory specificity. Neighborhood vigilance was also associated with more severe problems when trying to quit smoking. The current findings suggest neighborhood vigilance represents an important contextual factor involved in certain negative beliefs about abstinence and challenges in quitting.

Sense of neighborhood belonging and health: geographic, racial, and socioeconomic variation in Wisconsin

Background

Individuals' sense of belonging (SoB) to their neighborhood is an understudied psychosocial factor that may influence the association between neighborhood characteristics, health, and disparities across socio-demographic groups.

Methods

Using 2014-2016 data from the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin (SHOW, N = 1,706), we conduct a detailed analysis of SoB and health in an American context. We construct OLS and logistic regressions estimating belonging's association with general, physical, and mental health. We explore geographic, racial, and socioeconomic variation to understand both the differential distribution of SoB and its heterogeneous relationship with health.

Results

A higher SoB is positively associated with better physical, mental, and general health. White participants report higher SoB than Black participants, yet the association between SoB and mental health is strongest among participants of color and urban residents.

Conclusion

Sense of belonging to neighborhood significantly predicts many facets of health, with place and individual characteristics appearing to moderate this relationship. Racial, geographic, and socioeconomic disparities in belonging-health associations raise important questions about who benefits from the social, economic, and physical aspects of local communities.

Social capital and changes of psychologic distress during early stage of COVID-19 in New orleans

Here we report on the relationship between measures of social capital, and their association with changes in self-reported measures of psychological distress during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyze data from an existing cluster randomized control trial (the Healthy Neighborhoods Project) with 244 participants from New Orleans, Louisiana. Changes in self-reported scores between baseline (January 2019-March 2020) and participant's second survey (March 20, 2020, and onwards) are calculated. Logistic regression is employed to examine the association between social capital indicators and measures of psychological distress adjusting for key covariates and controlling for residential clustering effects. Participants reporting higher than average scores for social capital indicators are significantly less likely to report increases in psychosocial distress between pre and during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic. Those who report higher than average sense of community were approximately 1.2 times less likely than those who report lower than average sense of community scores to experience increases in psychological distress before and during the global pandemic (OR 0.79; 95% CI 0.70,0.88, p ≤ 0.001), even after controlling for key covariates. Findings highlight the potentially important role that community social capital and related factors may play in the health of underrepresented populations during times of major stress. Specifically, the results suggest an important role of cognitive social capital and perceptions of community membership, belonging, and influence in buffering changes of mental health distress experienced during the initial period of the COVID-19 pandemic among a sample of residents.

Ethnic networks in neighborhoods affect mental health: Evidence from a quasi-random assignment of applicants in the public social housing system

This paper examines the impact of residence-based ethnic networks on mental health; such networks are defined as the concentration of residents from the same country of origin in a neighborhood. To estimate the effect, we utilize administrative registry data, together with data on quasi-random assignment of apartments to non-Western households with housing needs to various neighborhoods. After controlling for individual characteristics, time-invariant neighborhood characteristics, and general practitioners (GP) fixed effects, we find that a 1-percentage-point increase in the concentration of residence-based co-ethnics (RBCEs) increases the probability of being treated with psychiatric medications by 0.7-percentage point over a 5-year period after the assignment. With 19% of the population being treated with psychiatric medications the year before assignment, the result translates into an effect size of 3.7%. The results indicate that relatively high concentrations of co-ethnics treated with psychiatric medications increase the probability of being treated with psychiatric medications. The positive impact on treatment with psychiatric medication reflects an increase in the demand for these drugs when moving into a neighborhood with neighbors of the same ethnicity. If new residents are in good mental health condition when moving, these results suggest that moving into a neighborhood with a high co-ethic concentration worsens mental health status. However, as the population in this study is a vulnerable group an increase in treatment with psychiatric medications likely reflects that untreated mental health problems are treated, and the mental health status improved. The group of non-Western immigrants in this study differs significantly from the population in general, thus, results may not be generalized to all non-Western immigrants.

Perceived Neighborhood Characteristics and Later-Life Pain Outcomes: Evidence From the Health and Retirement Study

Objectives: This study examines whether perceived neighborhood characteristics relate to pain outcomes among middle-aged and older adults. Methods: Data were from the Health and Retirement Study (2006-2014; n = 18,814). Perceived neighborhood characteristics were physical disorder, social cohesion, safety, and social ties. We fitted adjusted generalized estimating equation models to evaluate prevalence, incidence, and recovery of moderate-to-severe limiting pain 2 years later. Results: The mean age of our sample was 65.3 years; 54.6% were female and 24.2% reported moderate-to-severe limiting pain at baseline. Positive neighborhood characteristics were associated with low prevalence (e.g., prevalence ratio [PR]: .71 for disorder) and reduced incidence (e.g., PR: .63 for disorder) of moderate-to-severe limiting pain. Positive neighborhood characteristics were associated with a high recovery rate from moderate-to-severe limiting pain (e.g., PR = 1.15 for safety), though the 95% CIs for disorder and cohesion crossed the null. Discussion: Neighborhood characteristics may be important determinants in predicting pain in later life.

Neighborhood socioeconomic status and race are associated with incidence disparities in oral cavity cancers

OBJECTIVES

To determine the association between neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES), race and incidence rate trends of oral cavity cancer (OCC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We used data from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) 18 Census Tract-level SES and Rurality Database (2006-2018) database of the National Cancer Institute to create cohorts of OCC patients between 2006 and 2018. Annual incidence rates were calculated and trends in rates were estimated using joinpoints regression.

RESULTS

The incidence of OCC is the highest among low nSES White Americans (2.86 per 100 000 persons) and the lowest among high nSES Black Americans (1.17 per 100 000 persons). Incidence has significantly increased among Asian Americans (annual percent change [APC]: low nSES-2.4, high nSES-2.6) and White Americans (APC: low nSES-1.4, high nSES-1.6). Significant increases in the incidence of oral tongue cancer in these groups primarily drive this increase. Other increases were noted in alveolar ridge cancer among White Americans and hard palate cancer among Asian Americans. OCC incidence decreased significantly in Hispanic Americans of high nSES (APC: -2.5) and Black Americans of low nSES (APC: -2.7). Floor of mouth cancer incidence decreased among most groups.

CONCLUSION

Despite the overall decreasing incidence of OCC, these trends are inconsistent among all OCC subsites. Differences are seen by race, nSES, and subsite, indicating intersectional barriers that extend beyond nSES and race and ethnicity alone. Further research on risk factors and developing interventions targeting vulnerable groups is needed.

Conceptualisation and Measurement of Social Cohesion within the Sport and Physical Activity Context: A Scoping Review

Sport, physical activity and social cohesion are increasingly linked within the academic literature. Indeed, studies recognise both the importance of social cohesion for promoting physical activity and the potential of sport to support social cohesion. Up until now, however, the ways in which social cohesion has been defined and measured in the context of sport and physical activity have not been the subject of much academic attention. Through a scoping review of studies measuring social cohesion in the sport and physical activity context, we aim to uncover how social cohesion is defined and measured, thus allowing us to better grasp how the concept is understood and operationalised in this field. As such, full-text inclusion occurred when studies quantitatively measured social cohesion through a questionnaire/survey instrument in connection with sport or physical activity participation or within programmes using sport to foster social cohesion. A total of 40 papers were included in the review, showing broad support for the argument that social cohesion is positively related to sport or physical activity participation. However, the retained texts engage on only a surface level with the concept of social cohesion, with around half not defining the term and the associated measurement tools using only a fraction of the dimensions typically associated with social cohesion. To conclude, we propose future directions to enhance conceptual engagement with and measurement of social cohesion.

Trajectories of depressive symptoms among older African Americans: the influence of neighborhood characteristics and gender

OBJECTIVES

Focusing on older African Americans, this study aims to (1) identify 9-year trajectories of depressive symptoms, (2) examine the association between baseline neighborhood characteristics (i.e., social cohesion and physical disadvantage) and trajectories of depressive symptoms, and (3) test whether the effects of neighborhood characteristics on depressive symptoms trajectories differ by gender.

METHODS

Data came from the National Health and Aging Trend Study. Older African Americans at baseline were selected (N = 1662) and followed up for eight rounds. Depressive symptom trajectories were estimated using group-based trajectory modeling. Weighted multinomial logistic regressions were conducted.

RESULTS

Three trajectories of depressive symptoms were identified: "persistently low," "moderate and increasing," and "high and decreasing" (Objective 1). Objective 2 and 3 were partially supported. Specifically, high perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with a lower relative risk of being on the "moderate and increasing" versus the "persistently low" trajectory (RRR = 0.64, p < 0.01). The association between neighborhood physical disadvantage and depressive symptom trajectories was stronger among older African American men compared to women.

CONCLUSIONS

High levels of neighborhood social cohesion may protect against increasing depressive symptoms in older African Americans. Compared to women, older African American men may be more vulnerable to negative mental health effects of neighborhood physical disadvantage.

The association of neighborhood socioeconomic characteristics with cardiovascular health: A quasi-experimental study of refugees to Denmark

Neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with cardiovascular health, although it is unclear which specific aspects of neighborhoods matter most. We leveraged a natural experiment in which refugees to Denmark were quasi-randomly assigned to neighborhoods across the country during 1986-1998, creating variation in exposure to various aspects of neighborhood disadvantage. The cohort was followed through December 2018. Exposures included neighborhood-level family income, educational attainment, unemployment, and welfare transfers measured in the first neighborhood after arrival to Denmark. Outcomes included cardiovascular risk factors (hyperlipidemia, hypertension, diabetes and anxiety/depression) and cardiovascular disease (acute myocardial infarction and ischemic heart disease). Neighborhood-level income and education were most consistently associated with cardiovascular risk factors, whereas welfare transfers were most consistently associated with cardiovascular disease. Addressing these specific aspects of neighborhood disadvantage could therefore lower the risk of poor cardiovascular health among refugees. Future research is warranted to examine if results are generalizable to other immigrant groups, countries or time periods.

Exploring differences in perceptions of gentrification, neighborhood satisfaction, social cohesion, and health among residents of two predominantly African American Pittsburgh neighborhoods (n = 60)

BACKGROUND

Gentrification often leads to changes in the social and physical environment of neighborhoods, which social capital theory has found are connected to aspects of resident health and wellbeing. A growing body of literature has explored the impact of gentrification on health and wellbeing of residents. The goal of this study is to qualitatively explore the ways in which gentrification may have impacted perceptions of neighborhood satisfaction, social cohesion, and health of neighborhood residents (n = 60) from two predominantly Black neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, one of which experienced Black gentrification during the study's time period. This analysis is unique in its ability to capture experiences of residents who remained in their neighborhood throughout the course of the study, as well as those who moved away from their neighborhood.

METHODS

Participants were randomly selected from a larger cohort enrolled in a quasi-experimental study and categorized by whether they lived in a census tract that gentrified, whether they owned or rented their home, and whether they moved from the neighborhood or remained in the same place of residence between 2011 and 2018. Phone interviews lasting approximately 30 min were conducted with participants and were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Participants were provided a $40 gift card for their time. Interview data were analyzed using a directed content approach, and Cohen's Kappa was obtained (k = 0.924) to signal good inter-rater reliability.

RESULTS

Results showed renters in gentrified census tracts overwhelmingly viewed gentrification trends as a negative change compared to homeowners. Overall, participants from gentrified census tracts reported being relatively satisfied with their neighborhood, though some suggested there were fewer resources in the neighborhood over time; felt their social cohesion had deteriorated over time; and more commonly reflected negative health changes over time.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that while gentrification can bring much needed improvements to neighborhoods, it can also bring other disruptive changes that affect the health and wellbeing of existing residents.

Community Cohesion, Social Support, and Mental Health among Black Individuals in Chicago: A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Effects on COVID-19 Vaccination

The COVID-19 pandemic put a significant strain on communities, social resources, and personal relationships, disproportionately impacting Black and low-income communities in the United States. Community cohesion and social support are positively associated with numerous health outcomes and preventive health measures, yet were strained during the pandemic due to COVID mitigation measures. This study examined the relationships between social cohesion, social support, mental health, and COVID-19 vaccination to understand whether community cohesion and social support were associated with increased likelihood of receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. Data are from a cross-sectional survey of 537 Black Chicagoans that was disseminated between September 2021 and March 2022. Structural equation modeling was used to test associations between community cohesion, social support, loneliness, anxiety, stress, and having received a COVID-19 vaccination. Results demonstrated that social support mediated associations between community cohesion and loneliness, anxiety, and stress, but was not associated with COVID-19 vaccination. These results demonstrate the importance of community cohesion and social support on mental health and suggest there are other potential pathways that may link community cohesion and vaccination.

Neighborhood factors and survival to old age: The Jackson Heart Study

Few studies have evaluated environmental factors that predict survival to old age. Our study included 913 African American participants in the Jackson Heart Study (JHS) who resided in the tri-county area of the Jackson, MS metropolitan area and were 65-80 years at baseline. Participants were followed from 2000 through 2019 for the outcome of survival to 85 years old. We evaluated each of the following census tract-level measures of the social/physical environment as exposures: socioeconomic status, cohesion, violence, disorder, healthy food stores, residential land use, and walkability. We assessed mediation by physical activity and chronic conditions. As a complementary ecologic analysis, we used census-tract data to examine factors associated with a greater life expectancy. A total of 501 (55%) JHS participants survived to age 85 years or older. Higher social cohesion and greater residential land use were modestly associated with survival to old age (risk difference = 25%, 95% CI: 0-49%; and 4%, 95% CI: 1-7%, respectively). These neighborhood effects were modestly mediated through leisure time physical activity; additionally, social cohesion was mediated through home and yard activity. In our ecologic analysis, a greater percentage of homeowners and a greater proportion of people living in partnered families were associated with higher census-tract level life expectancy. African American older adults living in residential neighborhoods or neighborhoods with high social cohesion were more likely to survive to old age.

Association between neighbourhood cohesion and physical activity trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic using data from Understanding Society: The UK Household Longitudinal Study & COVID-19 sub-study

Neighbourhood cohesion is increasingly recognised as a key determinant of health and health-related behaviours. Positive association between social support and physical activity have been demonstrated on an interpersonal level, there is less evidence at group-level. This study aimed to examine the association between neighbourhood cohesion and physical activity trajectories during the COVID-19 pandemic. Hypothesizing that higher neighbourhood cohesion was a protective factor against reduced physical activity during the pandemic. Data from Understand Society (wave 9, Jan 2017-Dec 2019), and the COVID-19 sub-study (waves 1, 5, 7) was used. Participants (N = 14,475) had baseline data and at least one Covid physical activity measure. We used linear mixed models with a random intercept and slope at the individual level and an unstructured correlation matrix to examine the association between neighbourhood cohesion and physical activity during the follow-up period. We found a significant reduction in physical activity (-441 MET-min/wk, (CI 374.51 - 507.65, p < 0.001) through the COVID-19 pandemic, and that higher neighbourhood cohesion was related to higher physical activity after control for covariates. There was a significant difference between neighbourhood cohesion categories and change seen in PA during the 39-month follow-up period (difference in change between lowest and highest neighbourhood cohesion categories = 373 MET-min/wk, p = 0.036), higher neighbourhood cohesion had a protective effect. Strong relationships between public health and urban planning sectors are needed to build communities with structures in place to support a sense of community, social interaction and attraction to the neighbourhood. This will help long-term neighbourhood cohesion and support increased physical activity.

The Contribution of Neighborhood Characteristics to Psychological Symptom Severity in a Cohort of Injured Black Men

BACKGROUND

Traumatic injury is not evenly distributed by race and class in the USA. Black men are marginalized in the society, often reside in disadvantaged neighborhoods, and are at higher risk for injury mortality and ongoing physical and psychological problems following injury. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depressive symptom severity are among several problematic and disabling conditions faced by injury survivors. While much research has examined individual factors that lead to increased post-injury psychological symptom severity, the contribution of the social and physical environment has been relatively understudied.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the contribution of neighborhood characteristics to PTSD and depressive symptom severity in Black men following traumatic injury.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study. Participant data were linked via GIS to neighborhood characteristics (constructs established by factor analysis) to spatially model factors associated with increased post-injury psychological symptom severity using a GEE regression analysis, adjusting for injury mechanism and severity, age, and insurance.

PARTICIPANTS

Four hundred fifty-one adult Black males hospitalized for traumatic injury.

RESULTS

The 4 constructs were neighborhood disconnectedness, concentrated disadvantage/deprivation, crime/violence/vacancy, and race/ethnicity. High depressive and PTSD symptom severity was reported by 36.8% and 30.4% of participants, respectively. Higher PTSD symptom severity was associated with crime/violence/vacancy, and higher depressive symptom severity was associated with neighborhood disconnectedness. PTSD and depressive symptom severity were associated with intentional injury mechanisms and Medicaid/no insurance. Higher injury severity was associated with depressive symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Neighborhood characteristics are associated with psychological symptom severity after injury.

Neighborhood Social Environment and Body Mass Index: The Mediating Role of Mental Wellbeing

The association between neighborhood-built environment and body mass index (BMI) is well-characterized, whereas fewer studies have explored the mechanisms underlying the relationship between neighborhood social environment and obesogenic behaviors. Using data from a random sample of 16,820 residents ≥18 years from all 169 Connecticut towns and seven ZIP Codes in New York, this study examines the influence of neighborhood social environment on residents' mental wellbeing, physical activity, and BMI. Structural equation modeling was conducted to estimate direct and indirect effects of neighborhood social environment on BMI, using mental wellbeing and physical activity as intermediate variables. There were significant total [β(SE) = 0.741 (0.170), p < 0.0001], direct [β(SE) = 0.456 (0.1890), p = 0.016], and indirect [β(SE) = 0.285 (0.061), p < 0.0001] effects of neighborhood social environment on BMI. Low physical activity was a partial mediator of the effect of non-favorable neighborhood social environment on BMI [β(SE) = -0.071 (0.011), p < 0.0001]. The association between neighborhood social environment and BMI was also mediated by mental wellbeing [β(SE) = 0.214 (0.060), p < 0.0001], and by mental wellbeing through physical activity [β(SE) = 0.071 (0.011), p < 0.0001]. Study findings provide further support for building strong social environments to improve population health and suggest that strategies prioritizing mental wellbeing may benefit behavioral interventions aimed at reducing obesity risk and should be a focus of prevention efforts in and of itself.

The Role of Perceived Neighborhood Cohesion in the Association between Depressive Symptoms and Cigarette Smoking

BACKGROUND

Greater depression has been linked to increased smoking rates. However, the mechanisms underlying this association are not fully understood. It is possible that high perceived neighborhood cohesion may serve as one such mechanism given its associations with decreased depression and smoking. Having increased levels of depression likely impacts one's perceptions of neighborhood cohesion, which could lead to further increases in depression and a need to manage these symptoms via cigarette smoking. As a first test of this theory, the current study examined the effect of neighborhood cohesion on the association between depressive symptoms and smoking frequency and quantity among past 30-day cigarette smokers.

METHODS

Participants were 201 combustible cigarette smokers (Mage = 48.33, SD = 11.64; 63.2% female; 68.2% White) who completed self-report measures as part of a larger study of environmental influences on cardiac health.

RESULTS

Greater depressive symptoms were associated with lower levels of perceived neighborhood cohesion, and there was a significant indirect effect of greater depressive symptoms on heavier smoking through decreased neighborhood cohesion (b = .07, SE = .04, 95% CI [.003, .15]). There was no significant indirect effect for daily smoking.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that neighborhood cohesion is an important contextual factor that serves as one explanatory mechanism for the well-established relationship between depression and smoking quantity. Thus, there may be utility in implementing interventions focused on increasing neighborhood cohesion as a way to decrease smoking behavior.

Associations between neighbourhood social cohesion and subjective well-being in two different informal settlement types in Delhi, India: a quantitative cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the relationships between neighbourhood cohesion and subjective well-being (SWB) in two different informal settlement types.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional analysis of a community-based survey.

SETTING

Communities in two districts, Sanjay Colony, Okhla Phase II and Bhalswa in Delhi, India.

PARTICIPANTS

328 residents in Bhalswa and 311 from Sanjay Colony.

MEASUREMENTS

Neighbourhood social cohesion scale measured on an 18-point scale and the SWB scale made up of four subjective measures-hedonic, eudaemonic, evaluative and freedom of choice. Sociodemographic characteristics and trust were used as covariates.

RESULTS

In both neighbourhood types there was a statistically significant positive bivariate correlation between neighbourhood cohesion and SWB (Sanjay: r=0.145, p<0.05; Bhalswa: r=0.264, p<0.01). Trust and neighbourhood cohesion were strongly correlated (Sanjay: r=0.618, p<0.01; Bhalswa: r=0.533, p<0.01) and the longer the resident had lived in the community the greater the feeling of neighbourhood cohesion (Sanjay: r=0.157, p<0.01; Bhalswa: r=0.171, p<0.05). Only in the resettlement colony (Bhalswa) was SWB negatively correlated with length of residency (r=-0.117, p<0.05). Residents who chose their settlement type (Sanjay residents) were 22.5 percentage points (pp) more likely to have a feeling of belonging to their neighbourhood than residents that had been resettled (Bhalswa) (Cohen's d effect size 0.45). Sanjay residents had a greater likelihood to feel more satisfied with life (4.8 pp, p<0.01) and having greater perceived freedom of choice (4.8 pp, p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings contribute to the general knowledge about neighbourhood cohesion and SWB within different informal settlement types in a mega-city such as New Delhi, India. Interventions that promote sense of belonging, satisfaction with life and freedom of choice have the potential to significantly improve people's well-being.

Race-specific associations between psychological distress and obesity: the role of social cohesion

OBJECTIVE

Nearly two-thirds of Black women in the US are obese. Studies have focused more on lifestyle and behavioral factors to explain racial disparities; less research has examined psychosocial factors such as psychological distress and social cohesion. While research suggests that social cohesion may confer benefits for health, no studies have assessed how social cohesion is related to both mental health and obesity, and potential racial differences. Our study examined associations between psychological distress, social cohesion, and obesity among Black and White adult women.

DESIGN

Data are from the 2014-2018 National Health Interview Survey (n = 66,743). Participants self-reported psychological distress (Kessler K6 scale), obesity (body mass index≥30 kg/m2), and social cohesion. We fit logistic regression models of obesity with likelihood ratio tests for effect modification by social cohesion and by race.

RESULTS

Psychological distress was associated with a 1.19 and 1.31 higher odds of obesity for Black (95% confidence interval: 1.05, 1.36) and White women (1.24, 1.39), respectively. Social cohesion was associated with a 0.75 lower odds of obesity among White (0.69, 0.81) but not Black women (odds ratio 0.94; 0.80, 1.10). Tests of interaction indicated no differences by social cohesion or race in the association between psychological distress and obesity.

CONCLUSION

Findings highlight complex relationships between psychological distress, obesity, and social cohesion in Black and White women. Public health efforts should focus on understanding mechanisms relating social factors to health.

Effects of social media empowerment on COVID-19 preventive behaviors in China

Purpose

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, ubiquitous social media has become a primary channel for information dissemination, social interactions and recreational activities. However, it remains unclear how social media usage influences nonpharmaceutical preventive behavior of individuals in response to the pandemic. This paper aims to explore the impacts of social media on COVID-19 preventive behaviors based on the theoretical lens of empowerment.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, survey data has been collected from 739 social media users in China to conduct structural equation modeling (SEM) analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that social media empowers individuals in terms of knowledge seeking, knowledge sharing, socializing and entertainment to promote preventive behaviors at the individual level by increasing each person's perception of collective efficacy and social cohesion. Meanwhile, social cohesion negatively impacts the relationship between collective efficacy and individual preventive behavior.

Originality/value

This study provides insights regarding the role of social media in crisis response and examines the role of collective beliefs in the influencing mechanism of social media. The results presented herein can be used to guide government agencies seeking to control the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mommy, Can I Play Outside? How Urban Design Influences Parental Attitudes on Play

Although play results in physical, social, and cognitive benefits, there is a consensus that children's opportunities to play have been reduced, particularly for those who live in urban environments. What are the barriers to play, and how can we mitigate them? This review examines a critical factor in play opportunities: parents as the decision-makers with regard to children's play. Using perspectives from psychology, urban design, and cognitive science, we analyze the relationships between the design of built environments, parental attitudes and beliefs, and parental decisions on allowing children to play. For example, can a new implementation of children-centered urban design change parents' skeptical attitude toward play? By drawing from global studies, we chart (1) the three key beliefs of parents regarding play and built environments: play should benefit learning, be safe, and match the child's competence and (2) the design principles that can foster these beliefs: learning, social, and progressive challenge designs. By making the link between parents, urban design, and play explicit, this paper aims to inform parents, educators, policymakers, urban planners, and architects on the evidence-based measures for creating and increasing opportunities to play.

Perceived social cohesion and depressive symptoms among internal migrants in China: The mediating role of social adaptation

Background

Internal migrants are exposed to higher risks of depressive symptoms due to migration-related stress. It has been recognized that perceived neighborhood social cohesion has direct and indirect associations with depressive symptoms. However, the pathway from perceived social cohesion to internal migrants' depressive symptoms was less discussed.

Objectives

To assess mental health disparities among internal migrants. To investigate the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms among urban-to-urban and rural-to-urban migrants and to examine the mediating role of social adaptation.

Methods

Data from the "2017 Urbanization and New Migrant Survey" was used, including 2,584 internal migrants age 18-65 from 10 cities in China. Social cohesion was measured by a six-item modified Community-level Cohesion Scale. Depressive symptoms was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, and social adaptation was assessed by a single-item question of migrants' adaptation to local life. Multivariate linear regression models were used to examine the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms. Baron and Kenny's mediation tests were conducted to examine the mediating role of social adaptation on the association. All analyses were adjusted using sampling weights to account for this survey's sampling design.

Results

Rural-to-urban migrants were found to have more clinically significant depressive symptoms, lower perceived social cohesion, and fair or low social adaptation than urban-to-urban migrants (all p < 0.001). Being rural-to-urban migrants as compared with urban-to-urban migrants [Odds Ratio (OR) = 1.46, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.456, 1.461, p < 0.001], had lower perceived social cohesion (OR = 1.46, 95% CI = 1.458, 1.463, p < 0.001), and poorer social adaptation (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.932, 1.941, p < 0.001), are associated with higher odds of having clinically significant depressive symptoms. Social adaptation partially mediated the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms by explaining 15.39% of its effect for urban-to-urban migrants and 18.97% for rural-to-urban migrants.

Conclusions

Findings from this study reveal mental health inequalities among internal migrants and demonstrate the importance of social adaption on the association between social cohesion and depressive symptoms. Social strategies and public policies are needed to build a more cohesive community that serves both local residents and internal migrants, especially rural-to-urban migrants.

Ecological Study of Urbanicity and Self-reported Poor Mental Health Days Across US Counties

Geography may influence mental health by inducing changes to social and physical environmental and health-related factors. This understanding is largely based on older studies from Western Europe. We sought to quantify contemporary relationships between urbanicity and self-reported poor mental health days in US counties. We performed regression on US counties (n = 3142) using data from the County Health Rankings and Roadmaps. Controlling for state, age, income, education, and race/ethnicity, large central metro counties reported 0.24 fewer average poor mental health days than small metro counties (t = - 5.78, df = 423, p < .001). Noncore counties had 0.07 more average poor mental health days than small metro counties (t = 3.06, df = 1690, p = 0.002). Better mental health in large central metro counties was partly mediated by differences in the built environment, such as better food environments. Poorer mental health in noncore counties was not mediated by considered mediators.

Characterizing the neighborhood risk environment in multisite clinic-based cohort studies: A practical geocoding and data linkages protocol for protected health information

BACKGROUND

Maintaining patient privacy when geocoding and linking residential address information with neighborhood-level data can create challenges during research. Challenges may arise when study staff have limited training in geocoding and linking data, or when non-study staff with appropriate expertise have limited availability, are unfamiliar with a study's population or objectives, or are not affordable for the study team. Opportunities for data breaches may also arise when working with non-study staff who are not on-site. We detail a free, user-friendly protocol for constructing indices of the neighborhood risk environment during multisite, clinic-based cohort studies that rely on participants' protected health information. This protocol can be implemented by study staff who do not have prior training in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and can help minimize the operational costs of integrating geographic data into public health projects.

METHODS

This protocol demonstrates how to: (1) securely geocode patients' residential addresses in a clinic setting and match geocoded addresses to census tracts using Geographic Information System software (Esri, Redlands, CA); (2) ascertain contextual variables of the risk environment from the American Community Survey and ArcGIS Business Analyst (Esri, Redlands, CA); (3) use geoidentifiers to link neighborhood risk data to census tracts containing geocoded addresses; and (4) assign randomly generated identifiers to census tracts and strip census tracts of their geoidentifiers to maintain patient confidentiality.

RESULTS

Completion of this protocol generates three neighborhood risk indices (i.e., Neighborhood Disadvantage Index, Murder Rate Index, and Assault Rate Index) for patients' coded census tract locations.

CONCLUSIONS

This protocol can be used by research personnel without prior GIS experience to easily create objective indices of the neighborhood risk environment while upholding patient confidentiality. Future studies can adapt this protocol to fit their specific patient populations and analytic objectives.

The Effects of Public Open Space on Older People's Well-Being: From Neighborhood Social Cohesion to Place Dependence

This quantitative study examines the effects of Public Open Space (POS) on older people's well-being and examines the roles of neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and place dependence (PD) as series buffers. A questionnaire survey of 501 people aged 65 and over was conducted in various communities of Hong Kong. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyze the pathways connecting POS and well-being. A multigroup analysis examined differences in the POS-well-being associations between the young-old (aged 65 to 75, n = 166) and old-old group (aged 76 to 95, n = 166). Results show that the association between POS and emotional well-being was stronger than social and psychological well-being. POS promotes three facets of well-being through developing NSC and, subsequently, PD. Multigroup analysis results suggest that the pathway from POS to emotional well-being via NSC is stronger for the old-old group; POS is more important for psychological well-being for the young-old group. This study highlights that the quality of POS, including attractive natural elements, various amenities, and sufficient space for social interactions, is essential for making relationship-rich and health-promotive urban environments.

Racial and Ethnic Differences in the Relationship Between Neighborhood Environment and Physical Activity Among Middle-Aged and Older Adults

Objectives:To examine the associations between neighborhood environment-perceived neighborhood social cohesion and perceived neighborhood physical environment-and physical activity (PA) and whether these associations differ by race/ethnicity. Methods: We analyzed data from the Health and Retirement Study, a longitudinal study of US adults aged 50+ from 2006 to 2014 (N = 17,974), using multivariate mixed-effects linear models. PA was repeatedly measured using metabolic equivalent of task estimated values accounting for the vigor and frequency of self-reported PA. Results: In multivariate models, higher levels of PA were positively associated with higher rated neighborhood social cohesion and neighborhood physical environment scores. The effects of social cohesion were stronger among non-Hispanic Whites than among non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic/Latinx participants, while race/ethnicity did not moderate the association between PA and physical environment. Discussion: Intervention strategies that address social and physical barriers of neighborhoods could promote PA in older adults. Key implications for future research are discussed.

Neighborhood social cohesion is associated with the willingness toward the booster dose of COVID-19 vaccines among the Chinese older population

Neighborhood social cohesion is a prominent psychosocial factor during the pandemic, and trust in neighbors is critical for implementing health prevention-related behaviors with public health messages. We planned to specifically explore the association between neighborhood social cohesion and vaccine acceptability among older adults (≥60 years) in China. Using a random stratified sampling method, an anonymous cross-sectional online survey was conducted in mainland China via a professional scientific data platform from May 25 to June 8, 2022. A revised Social Cohesion Scale was applied to evaluate the level of neighborhood social cohesion. Of the 3,321 recruited respondents aged 60 and above, 82.8% (95% CI: 81.5-84.1) reported their willingness to be vaccinated. With all significant covariates adjusted, older adults with moderate (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.04-3.04) and high level of social cohesion (aOR = 2.21, 95% CI: 1.29-3.77) were more likely to receive the booster dose. Our findings remained robust in a series of models after controlling for different covariates. Uncertainty about contraindications (38.3%), underestimation of their vulnerability (33.1%), and concerns about vaccine safety (32.0%) were the three main reasons for vaccine hesitancy. Therefore, building a harmonious community environment, strengthening neighborhood communication and exchange, and making good use of peer education among neighbors may become a breakthrough to promote herd immunity, especially for vulnerable older adults with limited social networks.

Navigating Black Aging: The Biological Consequences of Stress and Depression

OBJECTIVES

Black persons in the United States are more likely to suffer from social inequality. Chronic stress caused by social inequality and racial discrimination results in weathering of the body that causes physiological dysregulation and biological age being higher than chronological age (accelerated aging). Depression has been linked to both racial discrimination and accelerated aging and accelerated aging has been demonstrated to be higher in Black than White persons, on average. However, we know little about accelerated aging across the life course in Black Americans.

METHODS

We used mixed-effects growth models to measure biological age acceleration, measured with cardiometabolic markers, over a 20-year period in Black participants of the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults Study who were aged 27-42 years at analytic baseline. We included an interaction between depressive symptoms and time to determine whether risk of depression was associated with a faster rate of biological aging.

RESULTS

We found that the rate of biological aging increased over a 20-year span and that those at risk for depression had a faster rate of biological aging than those not at risk. We also found that various social factors were associated with biological age acceleration over time.

DISCUSSION

Given the known association between perceived racial discrimination and depressive symptoms, we provide a novel instance of the long-term effects of social inequality. Specifically, biological age acceleration, a marker of physiological dysregulation, is associated with time among Black persons and more strongly associated among those with depressive symptoms.

Perceived neighborhood factors, health behaviors, and related outcomes in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Hispanic/Latino populations may experience significant neighborhood disadvantage, but limited research has explored whether these factors affect their health behaviors. Associations between perceived neighborhood factors at Visit 1 and health behaviors and related outcomes at Visit 2 in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos were evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression assessed cross-sectional and longitudinal relationships between perceived neighborhood social cohesion (NSC, 5 items), and neighborhood problems (NP, 7 items), with cancer screening, current smoking, excessive/binge drinking, hypertension, obesity, physical activity, and poor diet by gender and birthplace. NSC and NP scores were converted into quartiles. Mean age of participants was 42.5 years and 62.1% were women. Perceived NP, but not perceived NSC, differed by gender (p < 0.001). In unstratified models, no significant associations were observed between perceived NSC and any health behavior, whereas greater perceived NP was associated with less adherence to colon cancer screening (moderate level: aOR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.51, 090) and more physical activity (very high level: aOR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.06, 1.69) compared to low perceived NP. Women with moderate perceived NP, versus low NP, had a lower odds of colon cancer screening at Visit 1 (aOR = 0.62, 95% CI = 0.43, 0.91) and higher odds of mammogram adherence at Visit 2 (aOR = 2.86, 95% CI = 1.44, 5.68). Men with high perceived NP had a higher odds of excessive or binge drinking at Visit 2 (aOR = 1.99, 95% CI = 1.19, 3.31). We conclude that perceived NP were significantly related to health behaviors among HCHS/SOL individuals. Perceptions of neighborhood environment may be considered modifiable factors of structural neighborhood environment interventions.

Community social environments and cigarette smoking

Cigarette smoking remains a primary contributor to health disparities in the United States, and significant evidence suggests that smoking behavior is socially influenced. Though residential neighborhoods are important for health disparities, recent evidence suggests that people spend the majority of their waking time away from the residential neighborhood. We advance research on neighborhoods and smoking by using individual, neighborhood, and activity space data for adults in the Los Angeles Family and Neighborhood Survey (L.A.FANS). Moving beyond socioeconomic indicators of neighborhoods, we investigate the ways in which residential neighborhood social cohesion, neighborly exchange, and perceived danger impact smoking behavior after accounting for confounding factors in both the residential neighborhood and other activity spaces in which adults spend their days. We find that perceptions of danger in the residential neighborhood is robustly associated with the likelihood of smoking cigarettes. Further, measures of community social organization interact with perceived danger to influence smoking behavior. Adults with high levels of perceived danger are twice as likely to smoke if residing in communities with lower levels of social organization in the form of helpful, trusting, and supportive relationships. Understanding how the social organization of communities contributes to smoking disparities is important for curbing smoking's impact on population health.

[Environnement résidentiel et vieillissement en santé : le rôle de l'activité physique et de la participation sociale]

Le vieillissement démographique est un des défis majeurs du 21e siècle. Il pose directement la question du « vieillissement en santé », un processus aidant les personnes âgées à rester en bonne santé et indépendantes le plus longtemps possible. L'influence des facteurs environnementaux sur ce processus peut varier selon les individus et leurs comportements. L'enchevêtrement de ces facteurs représente un défi autant théorique que méthodologique. Cet article a pour objectifs i) de quantifier les associations entre l'environnement physique et social du quartier des personnes âgées et leur vieillissement en santé et ii) d'examiner si leur activité physique et leur participation sociale jouent un rôle de médiation dans ces associations. Si certaines caractéristiques du quartier relatives à la réputation, l'accès aux services, et la cohésion sociale sont associées au vieillissement en santé, il existe un soutien limité à l'idée que les comportements tiennent un rôle d'intermédiaire dans cette relation.

In the eyes of the beholder: Race, place and health

Racial and ethnic health disparities are fundamentally connected to neighborhood quality. For example, as a result of historical systemic inequities, racial and ethnic minorities are more likely to live in neighborhoods with signs of physical disorder (e.g., graffiti, vandalism), and physically disordered environments have been noted to associate with increased risk for chronic illness. Degree of exposure to neighborhood disorder may alter peoples' perception of their neighborhoods, however, with those most exposed (e.g., historically marginalized racial/ethnic groups) perhaps perceiving less threat from signs of neighborhood disorder. The purpose of the present study was to examine the complex interrelationships between people and place by investigating whether exposure to neighborhood physical disorder relates to residents' (1) perceptions of neighborhood safety and (2) perceptions of their health, and (3) examining whether these links vary by race/ethnicity. Using 2016-2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) data, a representative sample of US adults aged 51 years and older (n = 9,080, mean age 68 years), we conducted a series of weighted linear regressions to examine the role of neighborhood disorder in relation to both perceived neighborhood safety and self-rated health. Results indicated that greater neighborhood physical disorder was statistically significantly related to feeling less safe among non-Hispanic Whites and Hispanics, but not non-Hispanic Blacks. Regarding self-rated health, neighborhood physical disorder was statistically significantly related to poorer health among all racial/ethnic groups. These findings suggest that, despite differential interpretation of neighborhood disorder as a threat to safety, this modifiable aspect of peoples' environment is related to poor health regardless of one's race/ethnicity.

Neighborhood collective efficacy in stressful events: The stress-buffering effect

Although research on neighborhood effects has shown positive outcomes of collective efficacy in mental health, few studies have examined whether its protective role is universally applicable to all residents or the vulnerable population. Building on a stress-buffering model, this study examines whether or not neighborhood collective efficacy serves as a stress buffer to ameliorate the deleterious effects of exposure to stressful events across different population groups. Analyses are conducted based on a city-wide representative sample in Hong Kong linked to suicide events through spatial and temporal information. Neighborhood-level collective efficacy is constructed by the aggregated mean score of individual perceived collective efficacy within the same residential neighborhoods. Results from the logistic regression models show that individuals exposed to suicide in the residential surroundings have a higher risk of mental distress symptoms. Moreover, neighborhood-level collective efficacy tends to alleviate the mental distress upon exposure, but such a stress-buffering effect is only observed in older adults. Our findings provide a new perspective informed by the variation of stress-buffering effect across population groups. Thus, this study contributes to the understandings of neighborhood collective by demonstrating the stress-buffering effects among the vulnerable population.

Prospective Associations Between Social Connectedness and Mental Health. Evidence From a Longitudinal Survey and Health Insurance Claims Data

Objectives: Evidence on social stimuli associated with mental health is based mostly on self-reported health measures. We aimed to examine prospective associations between social connectedness and clinical diagnosis of depression and of anxiety. Methods: Longitudinal observational data merged with health insurance data comprising medical information on diagnosis of depression and anxiety were used. 1,209 randomly sampled employees of a US employer provided data for the analysis. Robust Poisson regression models were used. Multiple imputation was conducted to handle missing data on covariates. Results: Better social connectedness was associated with lower risks of subsequently diagnosed depression and anxiety, over a one-year follow-up period. Reports of feeling lonely were associated with increased risks of depression and anxiety. Association between community-related social connectedness and subsequent diagnosis of depression, but not of anxiety, was found. The associations were independent of demographics, socioeconomic status, lifestyle, and work characteristics. They were also robust to unmeasured confounding, missing data patterns, and prior health conditions. Conclusion: Social connectedness may be an important factor for reducing risks of depression and anxiety. Loneliness should be perceived as a risk factor for depression and anxiety.

Neighborhood cohesion and psychological distress across race and sexual orientation

Introduction

Method

Result

Conclusion

•

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) people are more likely to meet the criteria for psychological distress than non-LGB people.

•

Neighborhood cohesion (NC) has differing impact on psychological distress by race and sexual orientation.

•

NC provides greater protection against moderate distress for non-LGB groups and severe psychological distress for LGB groups.

Does the longitudinal association between neighbourhood cohesion and mental health differ by ethnicity? Results from the UK Household Longitudinal Survey

PURPOSE

While the association between neighbourhood cohesion and mental health has been widely studied in the general population, the effects of neighbourhood cohesion across ethnic groups are not well understood. Ethnicity is often left out of study design, many studies do not consider effect modification by ethnicity, or they rely on overly simplistic ethnic categories.

METHODS

Data from the UK household longitudinal study were used to investigate whether changes in neighbourhood cohesion are independently associated with changes in mental health (measured using the GHQ) over 9 years (2009-2018), and whether the association differed across 17 ethnic groups. The study used a fixed-effect modeling approach that includes within-person estimators that allow each participant to act as their own control.

RESULTS

Compared to British White, the following ethnic groups all saw a similar improvement in GHQ (- 0.76, 95% CI - 0.83 to - 0.70) for each point increase in neighbourhood cohesion: Irish, any other White, White and Asian mixed, Chinese, Caribbean, African, any other Black, Arab, and others. Some ethnic groups saw stronger improvements in mental for each point increase in neighbourhood cohesion, including White and Black Caribbean mixed, any other mixed, Indian, Pakistani, any other Asian, with the strongest effect seen in Bangladeshi participants (- 2.52. 95% CI - 3.48 to - 1.56).

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the importance of ethnocultural data in research examining neighbourhood effects on mental health. Future research should evaluate policies to improve neighbourhood cohesion for ethnic minorities to address ethnic mental health disparities.

Nativity Status and Poly Tobacco Use among Young Adults in the United States

Young adults are the second largest segment of the immigrant population in the United States (US). Given recent trends in later age of initiation of tobacco use, we examined variation in use of tobacco products by nativity status for this population group. Methods: Our study included young adults 18–30 years of age sampled in the National Health Interview Survey (2015–2019), a nationally representative sample of the US population. We calculated prevalence of use of any and two or more tobacco products (cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco) for foreign-born (n = 3096) and US-born (n = 6811) young adults. Logistic regression models were adjusted for age, sex, race-ethnicity, education, and poverty, while accounting for the complex survey design. Results: Foreign-born young adults were significantly less likely to use any tobacco product (Cigarette = 7.3% vs. 10.7%; Cigar = 1.8% vs. 4.8%; E-cigarette = 2.3% vs. 4.5%, respectively; p < 0.01) or poly tobacco use (1.9% vs. 4.2%; p < 0.01) than US-born young adults. Adjusted regression models showed lower odds of poly tobacco use among the foreign-born than their US-born counterparts (Odds Ratio = 0.41, (95% Confidence Interval: 0.26–0.63)). Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of targeted interventions by nativity status and further tobacco prevention efforts needed for the US-born.

A Bibliometric Analysis of Research on Social Cohesion from 1994–2020

Social cohesion is recognised as the glue that holds societies together and is connected to numerous positive social outcomes. Many authors have defined the term and its dimensions, leading to a wide range of different perspectives. Indeed, an array of dimensions have emerged as researchers have conceptualized social cohesion based on the theoretical assumptions of their disciplines. This wide range of disciplinary contributions has created a rich but muddled research field. In line with the growing recognition of social cohesion, there is a need to better understand social cohesion’s evolution and status within broader academic research. Thus, this study has two main objectives: (i) to analyse the nature and evolution of literature related to social cohesion and (ii) to identify the thematic areas related to social cohesion research and their connections to specific disciplines. To achieve this, a bibliometric analysis of 5027 journal articles listed in the Web of Science (WoS) was conducted. Through this, a substantial increase in research activity was noted, and the broad, multidisciplinary nature of the research is also illustrated. However, there remains room for further collaboration across disciplines as well as research exploring how different social groups and institutions contribute to social cohesion.

Environmental Influences on Life Satisfaction and Depressive Symptoms Among Older Adults With Multimorbidity: Path Analysis Through Loneliness in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

More older adults with multimorbidity are aging in place than ever before. Knowing how the environment affects their mental well-being could enhance the efficacy of age-friendly interventions for multimorbidity resilience. With reference to the Transdisciplinary Neighborhood Health Framework, we construct and examine a priori models of environmental influences on life satisfaction and depressive symptoms.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

Baseline and follow-up data (after 3 years) were drawn from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging to identify a subsample (n = 14,301) of participants aged at least 65 years with at least 2 chronic diseases. Path analysis examined sociobehavioral attributes (i.e., social support, social participation, walking) and loneliness as primary and secondary mediators, controlling for age, sex, education, and outcomes during baseline.

RESULTS

Good model fit was found (TFI = 1.00; CFI = 1.00; RMSEA < 0.001; SRMR < 0.001). The total effects of housing quality (rtotal = 0.08, -0.07) and neighborhood cohesion (rtotal = 0.03, -0.06) were weak but statistically significant in the expected direction. The mediators explained 21%-31% of the total effects of housing quality and 67%-100% of the total effects of neighborhood cohesion. Loneliness mediated 27%-29% of these environmental influences on mental well-being, whereas walking mediated a mere 0.4%-0.9% of the total effects. Walking did not explain the relationship between housing quality and mental well-being.

DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS

Data supported a priori pathways from environment to mental well-being through sociobehavioral attributes and loneliness. If these pathways from neighborhood cohesion to life satisfaction reflect causal effects, community-based age-friendly interventions should focus on enhancing neighborhood cohesion to mitigate loneliness among multimorbid older adults for their mental well-being.

Neighborhood social cohesion and physical activity and obesity outcomes among Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander individuals

OBJECTIVE

Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) individuals report high obesity rates and low physical activity (PA) levels. This study examined associations between neighborhood social cohesion, obesity, and PA among NHPI adults.

METHODS

Cross-sectional data from the 2014 NHPI National Health Interview Survey were analyzed. Social cohesion was assessed using a summative scale and categorized as low, medium, and high. PA was measured via self-report and categorized as insufficiently active (0-149 min/wk) or sufficiently active (150+ min/wk). Obesity status was based on self-reported height and weight measures converted into standard BMI categories. Multivariable logistic regression models estimated odds of obesity and sufficient PA associated with social cohesion level.

RESULTS

The study sample included n = 2,590 NHPI adults. Compared with those in low social cohesion neighborhoods, participants in high social cohesion neighborhoods had increased sufficient PA odds (odds ratio [OR] = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.19-2.12; p = 0.003) and decreased obesity odds (OR = 0.57, 95% CI: 0.40-0.83; p = 0.005). No associations were observed between social cohesion and obesity and PA outcomes comparing individuals in medium versus low social cohesion neighborhoods.

CONCLUSIONS

High social cohesion was associated with reduced obesity odds and increased sufficient PA odds. Findings highlight the importance of enhancing social connectivity as a potential strategy to promote PA and healthy weight among NHPI individuals.

How Does Urban Green Space Impact Residents' Mental Health: A Literature Review of Mediators

In recent years, the interest in the relationship between urban green space and residents’ mental health has gradually risen. A number of researchers have investigated the causal relationship and possible mediators between the two, although few have summarized these mediators. For this reason, we searched for relevant studies and filtered them by criteria and quality score, and analyzed the mediators and paths of the impact of urban green space on residents’ mental health. The mediators can be divided into environmental factors, outdoor activity, and social cohesion. From the perspective of heterogeneity, both individual characteristics (e.g., age and gender) and group characteristics (e.g., level of urban development and urban density) of residents are considered to be the cause of various mediating effects. Types of urban green space tend to affect residents’ mental health through different paths. Furthermore, this review discusses the details of each part under the influence paths. Finally, the policy implications for urban green space planning from three mediator levels are put forward based on an analysis of the situation in different countries.

Neighborhood environment perceptions associate with depression levels and cardiovascular risk among middle-aged and older adults: Data from the Washington, DC cardiovascular health and needs assessment

OBJECTIVES

Little is understood about associations between neighborhood characteristics and depression, a cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor, in diverse populations. We examined relationships between perceived/objective neighborhood characteristics, depression, and CVD markers within the Washington, DC CV Health/Needs Assessment, an evaluation among predominantly African-American (AA) adults in resource-limited DC communities.

METHOD

Factor analysis of overall neighborhood environment perception (NEP) identified three NEP sub-scores:1) violence; 2) physical/social environment; 3) social cohesion (higher score = more favorable perception). Objective neighborhood characteristics were measured by geospatially-derived scores of walkability, transportation, and crime. Depression was defined by the revised Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CESD-R). We used linear-regression modeling to examine neighborhood measures and CESD-R associations. To investigate a subsequent connection with CVD risk, we examined relationships between CESD-R and CVD-associated cytokines in a population subset.

RESULTS

Participants (N = 99; mean age = 59.06; 99% AA) had a mean CESD-R score = 5.8(SD = 8.88). In adjusted models, CESD-R scores decreased by 0.20 units (p = 0.01) for every overall NEP unit-increase. Perceived physical/social environment (β = -0.34, p = 0.04) and social cohesion (β = -0.82, p = 0.01) were related to CESD-R while perceived violence was not (β = -0.28, p = 0.1). Of objective neighborhood environment measures (i.e. walk, transit, bike, personal crime, and property crime scores), only property crime score was associated with depression (β = 4.99, p < 0.03). In population subset (n = 42), higher CESD-R associated with higher IL-1β (β = 21.25, p < 0.01) and IL-18 (β = 0.006, p = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Favorable neighborhood perceptions are related to lower depressive symptoms in a predominantly AA cohort from Washington, DC resource-limited communities. Neighborhood perceptions appear to be strongly associated with depressive symptoms compared to objective characteristics. Increasing CESD-R scores were related to higher pro-inflammatory markers. Improving neighborhood perceptions may be beneficial to psychological well-being and CV health for urban minority residents.

The association between neighborhood social cohesion and sleep duration in Latinos

OBJECTIVES

To examine the association between neighborhood social cohesion and sleep duration among Latinos, and whether this association varies by Latino subgroup.

DESIGN

We used cross-sectional data from the 2013-2015 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) on 13,537 Latino adults aged ≥18 years originating from 5 countries/regions (i.e. Latinos of Mexican/Mexican-American, Puerto Rican, Dominican, Central or South American, and Cuban/Cuban-American origin). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations between neighborhood social cohesion and sleep duration, and whether associations varied by Latino subgroup.

RESULTS

Among Mexicans/Mexican-Americans, medium and high levels of neighborhood social cohesion were associated with normal sleep duration, relative to short sleep duration (Odds Ratio [OR]: 1.31; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.08-1.57, and OR: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.26-1.69, respectively). Among Puerto Ricans, Cubans/Cuban Americans, and Central or South Americans, high neighborhood social cohesion was significantly associated with normal sleep duration (OR: 1.53; 95% Confidence Interval [CI]: 1.10-2.11, OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.10-3.42, and OR: 1.78; 95% CI: 1.35-2.34, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

The variation in the contribution of neighborhood social cohesion to sleep duration by Latino subgroup should be considered in health promotion programs aimed at improving sleep among Latinos.

A autopercepção do ambiente de vizinhança está associado à sarcopenia provável em idosos comunitários?

RESUMO A associação da sarcopenia com fatores sociodemográficos e de saúde já foi previamente apresentada na literatura. Contudo, pouco se sabe sobre como os fatores ambientais que podem estar relacionados a essa condição. O objetivo do estudo foi avaliar a associação entre a autopercepção do ambiente de vizinhança e a sarcopenia provável em idosos comunitários. Este é um estudo transversal, de base domiciliar com amostra probabilística, que incluiu 306 idosos comunitários de ambos os sexos. O desfecho foi a sarcopenia provável, categorizada com o tempo de realização no teste de sentar e levantar da cadeira >15 segundos, conforme proposto pelo European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People. As variáveis preditoras foram avaliadas de acordo com o abbreviated neighborhood environment walkability scale (A-NEWS), que inclui questões relacionadas à infraestrutura e à segurança do bairro, ruas, calçadas e tipos de uso do solo. Foram realizadas análises de regressão logística multivariada. A presença de supermercado/loja de conveniência/mercadinho/armazém, feira livre (OR: 0,45; IC 95%: 0,22-0,91) e ponto de ônibus (OR: 0,23; IC 95%: 0,10-0,50) foram fatores de proteção para a sarcopenia provável. Já o acúmulo de lixo e locais com esgoto a céu aberto próximos à residência (OR: 2,17; IC 95%: 1,16-4,05) foram fatores de risco. Verificou-se associação de comércios locais e pontos de ônibus próximos ao local de residência para proteção contra a sarcopenia provável, enquanto o acúmulo de lixo e locais com esgoto a céu aberto próximos à residência se mostraram fatores de risco para a sarcopenia provável.

Social Cohesion in Health: A Concept Analysis

The concept of social cohesion has been indicated to be a critical social determinant of health in recent literature. Inconsistencies surrounding the conceptualization and operationalization have made utilizing these findings to inform health intervention and policy difficult. The objective of this article is to provide a theoretical clarification of the concept "social cohesion," as it relates to health behaviors and outcomes by using the Rodgers' evolutionary method for concept analyses. This article uncovers the critical attributes, antecedents, and consequences of social cohesion and provides reflection on future use of social cohesion in health literature.

Development of an instrument to measure perceived gentrification for health research: Perceptions about changes in environments and residents (PACER)

Despite a myriad of potential pathways linking neighborhood change and gentrification to health, existing quantitative measures failed to capture individual-level, self-reported perceptions of these processes. We developed the Perceptions About Change in Environment and Residents (PACER) survey to measure the gentrification-related neighborhood change experienced by individuals relevant to health. We employed a multi-stage process to develop PACER including a scoping review, question refinement, content validity, and cognitive interviews. Content validity and cognitive interviews were assessed within the National Neighborhood Indicators Partnership (NNIP) and for residents of different tenure in both gentrifying and non-gentrifying neighborhoods to ensure PACER considers the complex nature of neighborhood change for different people within different urban contexts. We piloted the instrument to a sample from the resident panel BeHeardPhilly to assess acceptability and data quality. Finally, we assessed internal consistency, dimensionality, and criterion-related validity using Principal Components Analysis (PCA), descriptive statistics, and correlation coefficients. Testing showed good internal consistency for PACER questions, as well as for each of four resulting factors (Feelings, Built Environment, Social Environment, and Affordability). Correlations between factors and other context measures demonstrated strong criterion-related validity. PACER offers an unprecedented tool for measuring and understanding resident perceptions about gentrification-related neighborhood change relevant to health. Rigorously tested and tailored for health, PACER holds utility for application across different settings to examine changes from events that may impact and shift neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Mobility Limitations Among Community-dwelling Older Americans: The Mediating Roles of Depressive Symptoms and Mastery

Neighborhood environment plays an important role in late-life health; yet, the social aspect of neighborhood environment and its impact on mobility limitations have rarely been examined. This nonexperimental, cross-sectional study examines the relationship between neighborhood social cohesion and mobility limitations and the potential mediators (i.e., depressive symptoms, mastery) of this relationship. A total of 8,317 Americans aged 65 years and older were selected from the Health and Retirement Study. Using ordinary least squares regressions, this study shows that neighborhood social cohesion was negatively associated with mobility limitations (B  =  -0.04, p < .01). A Sobel test of mediation indicated that this relationship was significantly mediated by depressive symptoms (z  =  -9.10, p < .001) and mastery (z  =  -8.86, p < .001). Findings suggest that neighborhood cohesion can reduce mobility limitations through mitigating depressive symptoms and increasing mastery. Future research should disentangle the temporal ordering of the mediators.