The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Advance Access originally published online on February 27, 2009
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences 2009 64B(3):425-434; doi:10.1093/geronb/gbp010
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Marital Status as Contingency for the Effects of Neighborhood Disorder on Older Adults' Mental Health
Department of Sociology, California State University, Northridge
Address correspondence to Alex Bierman, PhD, Department of Sociology, California State University, Northridge, 336 Santa Susana Hall, 18111 Nordhoff Street, Northridge, CA 91330-8318. Email: alex.bierman{at}csun.edu
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Abstract |
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Objectives: This study examines whether the effects of neighborhood disorder on changes in levels of depression differ between the married and nonmarried, and whether these differences are because the married are less likely to experience a decrease in mastery due to neighborhood disorder.
Methods: Data are derived from a longitudinal study of adults aged 65 and older in the Washington, DC, metropolitan area over a 2-year period (2001–2003).
Results: Neighborhood disorder is positively related to change in depression and negatively related to change in mastery, but only for the nonmarried. Differences between the married and nonmarried in changes in mastery explain differences in effects of neighborhood disorder on change in depression.
Conclusion: This research contributes to the study of aging and health by demonstrating that neighborhood conditions continue to affect mental health well into late life by shaping older adults' mastery, but a social connection to a marital partner helps mitigate these effects.
Key Words: Neighborhoods • Marital status • Mental health • Perceived control • Stress
Received March 18, 2008; Accepted December 30, 2008