Abstract
Little is known about the accumulative impacts of neighbourhood physical environments on older adults’ depressive symptoms over time. Based on a cohort study of 2081 older adults in Hong Kong, this study examined longitudinal relationships between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms among older adults, with a particular focus on the moderating effects of terrain slope and individual functional ability using latent growth curve modelling. Results indicated that the availability of community centres and passive leisure facilities reduced depressive symptoms over time. The protective effects of residential surrounding greenness on depressive symptoms among older adults differed by the terrain slope types. Longitudinal associations between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms varied between older adults with and without functional limitations. This study has implications for the Ecological Theory of Ageing by identifying the dynamic interplay of environment demands and individual functional ability. Planning policies for building age-friendly neighbourhoods are discussed. © 2021 Elsevier Ltd.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 102585 |
| Journal | Health and Place |
| Volume | 70 |
| Online published | 17 May 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Jul 2021 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Funding
The authors would like to thank the Hong Kong Housing Society for funding this project (Longitudinal Study on Ageing-in-Place Scheme at HKHS Rental Estates: 4-Year Outcome, Grant Number: RS160139). The study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Hong Kong (reference number: EA050814 & EA1610004). The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to the many individuals without whose support this study would not have been completed successfully. The authors would like to thank the Hong Kong Housing Society for funding this project (Longitudinal Study on Ageing-in-Place Scheme at HKHS Rental Estates: 4-Year Outcome, Grant Number: RS160139 ). The study has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Hong Kong (reference number: EA050814 & EA1610004 ). The authors would like to extend their sincere thanks to the many individuals without whose support this study would not have been completed successfully.
Research Keywords
- Cohort study
- Depressive symptoms
- Functional abilities
- Neighbourhood physical environments
- Older adults
- Terrain slope