Open AccessNeighborhood Cohesion, Disorder, and Physical Function in Older Adults: An Examination of Racial/Ethnic Differences
Author(s) -
Roberto J. Millar
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of aging and health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.041
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1552-6887
pISSN - 0898-2643
DOI - 10.1177/0898264319890944
Subject(s) - ethnic group , disadvantaged , gerontology , psychology , cohesion (chemistry) , medicine , sociology , political science , chemistry , organic chemistry , anthropology , law
Objectives: This study examined the link between neighborhood social cohesion, disorder, and physical function in older adults, and identified potential racial/ethnic differences in these associations. Method: Data come from the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS; N = 5,619). A series of linear regression models were used to predict physical function. Subgroup analyses and neighborhood/race interactions were used to examine differences. Results: Neighborhood disorder was associated with poorer physical function ( p < .05), while neighborhood cohesion was not ( p = .06). Although tests of interactions were not significant, subgroup analyses showed that neighborhood disorder, and not social cohesion, was associated with poorer physical function only in Whites. Discussion: Disadvantaged neighborhood social environment may contribute to differences in physical function among older adults. Racial and ethnic differences warrant closer investigation in studies of neighborhoods and functional health.