Journal of Aging and Health
Volume 21, Issue 3, 2009, Pages 431-459

The relationship of neighborhood climate to perceived social support and mental health in older hispanic immigrants in miami, florida (Article)

Brown S.C. , Mason C.A. , Spokane A.R. , Cruza-Guet M.C. , Lopez B. , Szapocznik J.
  • a University of Miami, FL, United States, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Family Studies, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1425 NW 10th Ave., Miami, FL 33136, United States
  • b University of Maine, Orono, United States
  • c Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
  • d Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
  • e Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States
  • f Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA, United States

Abstract

Objective: This study examines the relationship of neighborhood climate (i.e., neighborhood social environment) to perceived social support and mental health outcomes in older Hispanic immigrants. Method: A population-based sample of 273 community-dwelling older Hispanic immigrants (aged 70 to 100) in Miami, Florida, completed self-report measures of neighborhood climate, social support, and psychological distress and performance-based measures of cognitive functioning. Structural equation modeling was used to model the relationship of neighborhood climate to elders' perceived social support and mental health outcomes (i.e., cognitive functioning, psychological distress). Results: Neighborhood climate had a significant direct relationship to cognitive functioning, after controlling for demographics. By contrast, neighborhood climate had a significant indirect relationship to psychological distress, through its relationship to perceived social support. Moreover, social support mediated the relationship between neighborhood climate and psychological distress. Discussion: Findings suggest that a more positive neighborhood social environment may be associated with better mental health outcomes in urban, older Hispanic immigrants. © 2009 Sage Publications.

Author Keywords

immigrants Social support cognitive functioning Mental health Social environment Neighborhood climate Hispanics Psychological distress Latinos older adults

Index Keywords

anxiety urban population depression Models, Psychological immigrant mental health human sex difference Self Report Stress, Psychological controlled study Aged Adaptation, Psychological social support Hispanic Americans mental health care Residence Characteristics United States Florida Humans Hispanic Cognition Disorders male Emigrants and Immigrants female Aged, 80 and over cognition self concept Article major clinical study Social Environment distress syndrome structural equation modeling outcome assessment
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-63849233399&doi=10.1177%2f0898264308328976&partnerID=40&md5=878078996ff17d553ee20f9075b983cf
DOI: 10.1177/0898264308328976
ISSN: 08982643
Cited by: 34
Original Language: English