Neighborhood Qualities Are Related to Better Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Loneliness Over 6 Years: Pathways Through Social Engagement and Social Support to Aging Well
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Date
2025-06
Open Access Location
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Oxford University Press on behalf of the Gerontological Society of America
Rights
(c) 2025 The Author/s
CC BY 4.0
CC BY 4.0
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Growing research evidence supports the importance of neighbourhoods for the wellbeing of older people. The aim of this study was to investigate key pathways (social engagement and social support) through which neighbourhood qualities (accessibility, safety, and social cohesion) may affect older people's mental wellbeing (mental health, quality of life, and loneliness) over 6 years.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A structural equation model was used to test the model while controlling for individual limitations such as physical health and SES. The population sample included 2750 New Zealanders over the age of 55 (M = 65.64 ± 6.30) years who responded to Health, Work and Retirement (HWR) longitudinal surveys in 2016 and 2022.
RESULTS: The results showed that greater neighbourhood accessibility to important facilities in 2016 predicted better mental health and quality of life and less loneliness in 2022 through provision of social support. Neighbourhood social cohesion predicted social engagement, which was related to higher social support predicting better mental health and quality of life and less loneliness in 2022.
DISCUSSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These findings confirm a body of research highlighting the importance of neighbourhood qualities and show the socially oriented pathways through which neighbourhoods support ageing well. These findings have direct implications for the development of social policy that focuses on the development of housing situations to support healthy ageing.
Description
Keywords
loneliness, mental health, neighbourhood qualities, social engagement, social support
Citation
Stephens C, Bakhshandeh Bavarsad M. (2025). Neighbourhood qualities are related to better mental health, quality of life and loneliness over 6 years: Pathways through social engagement and social support to ageing well.. Gerontologist. 65. 6. (pp. gnaf095-).