Neighborhood physical disorder and social participation among older Americans: mediations of social cohesion and depressive symptoms

OBJECTIVES: This research examined the associations between neighborhood physical disorder and social participation among community-dwelling older adults, and whether low social cohesion, as a social-relational pathway, and depressive symptoms, as a psychological pathway, partially explain the associations. METHODS: Using national data from Rounds 12-14 of National Aging and Trends Study, this research involved 3,350 Americans aged 65 or older. Social participation was measured by self-reported participation in five informal and formal social activities. Linear regressions examined associations between physical disorder and social participation, both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. A lagged dependent variable was included in the longitudinal models. Path analysis examined whether low socia l cohesion and depressive symptoms mediated the associations. RESULTS: Living in neighborhoods with physical disorder was associated with reduced social participation over time, yet the strength of the associations weakened over time. Low social cohesion mediated the association between physical disorder and social participation in Rounds 12 and 13, whereas depressive symptoms partially explained the association between physical disorder and social participation in Round 13 only. No longitudinal mediation was found. DISCUSSION: The findings highlight the important role of neighborhood physical disorder in social participation in later life, with associations that may be attributed to lower social cohesion and more depressive symptoms.