Neighborhood built environment and late-life depression: A multilevel path analysis in a Chinese society

OBJECTIVE

Neighborhood built environments (BEs) are increasingly recognized as being associated with late-life depression. However, their pathways are still understudied. This study investigates the mediating effects of physical, social activities (PA & SA) and functional ability (FA) in the relationships between BEs and late-life depression.

METHOD

We conducted a cross-sectional analysis with data from 2,081 community-dwellers aged 65 years and above in Hong Kong in 2014. Two road-network-based service area buffers (200- and 500-meter buffers) adjusted by terrain and slope from participants' residences were created to define the scope of neighborhoods. BEs comprised population density in District Council Constituency Areas (DCCAs), urban greenness, land use diversity, and neighborhood facilities within 200- and 500-meter buffers. Multilevel path analysis models were used.

RESULTS

More urban greenness within both buffers and more commercial facilities within a 500-meter buffer were directly associated with fewer depressive symptoms. SA mediated the relationship between the number of community facilities and depressive symptoms within a 200-meter buffer. Neighborhood urban greenness and the number of commercial facilities had indirect associations on depressive symptoms within a 500-meter buffer, which were mediated by FA.

CONCLUSION

Our findings have implications for the ecological model of aging. The mediating effects of SA and FA underscore the importance of promoting active social lifestyles and maintaining FA for older adults' mental health in high-density cities. Policy implications on how to build age-friendly communities are discussed.