The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences Advance Access published online on February 4, 2009
The Journals of Gerontology Series B: Psychological Sciences and Social Sciences, doi:10.1093/geronb/gbn011
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The Relationship of Built Environment to Perceived Social Support and Psychological Distress in Hispanic Elders: The Role of "Eyes on the Street"
1 Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Family Studies, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Florida
2 University of Maine, College of Education and Human Development/Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies, Orono
3 University of Miami School of Architecture, Coral Gables, Florida
4 Department of Education and Human Services, Lehigh University College of Education, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania
5 Robert Stempel School of Public Health, Department of Health Policy and Management, Florida International University, Miami
Address correspondence to Scott C. Brown, PhD, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Center for Family Studies, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, 1420 NW 10th Ave., Miami, FL 33136. E-mail: sbrown{at}med.miami.edu
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Abstract |
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Background.: Research on contextual and neighborhood effects increasingly includes the built (physical) environment's influences on health and social well-being. A population-based study examined whether architectural features of the built environment theorized to promote observations and social interactions (e.g., porches, windows) predict Hispanic elders' psychological distress.
Methods.: Coding of built environment features of all 3,857 lots across 403 blocks in East Little Havana, Florida, and enumeration of elders in 16,000 households was followed by assessments of perceived social support and psychological distress in a representative sample of 273 low socioeconomic status (SES) Hispanic elders. Structural-equation modeling was used to assess relationships between block-level built environment features, elders' perceived social support, and psychological distress.
Results.: Architectural features of the front entrance such as porches that promote visibility from a building's exterior were positively associated with perceived social support. In contrast, architectural features such as window areas that promote visibility from a building's interior were negatively associated with perceived social support. Perceived social support in turn was associated with reduced psychological distress after controlling for demographics. Additionally, perceived social support mediated the relationship of built environment variables to psychological distress.
Conclusions.: Architectural features that facilitate direct, in-person interactions may be beneficial for Hispanic elders' mental health.
Key Words: Aging • Built environment • Hispanics/Latinos • Psychological distress • Social support
Received February 5, 2008; Accepted October 8, 2008