Work

Health in the Neighborhood and Household Contexts Among Older Chinese Americans

Year: 2016

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVE: This study examined the associations of neighborhood characteristics and living arrangements with physical and mental health among older Chinese Americans. METHOD: A sample of 3,159 community-dwelling Chinese older adults in the Greater Chicago area provided reports of health, socio-demographic characteristics, living arrangements, social cohesion, and neighborhood disorder. We used multinomial logistic, Poisson, and negative binominal regression analyses. RESULTS: Neighborhood disorder was consistently associated with negative health indicators, including poor self-reported health, more chronic conditions, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Findings about the relationships between social cohesion and health indicators were mixed. Social cohesion was more salient to mental health for those living with spouse, children, and/or grandchildren relative to those living with spouse only. DISCUSSION: Policies and interventions are needed to improve the physical and social environments of neighborhoods and to promote healthy aging among Chinese older adults and in the general population as well.

Source: Journal of Aging and Health

DOI: 10.1177/0898264316661829

Authors: Fengyan Tang, Ling Xu, Iris Chi, Xinqi Dong

Institutions: University of Pittsburgh, The University of Texas at Arlington, University of Southern California, Rush University Medical Center

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: green