Association of neighbourhood social and physical attributes with depression in older adults in Hong Kong: a multilevel analysis

BackgroundPrevious studies investigating the independent effects of neighbourhood-level factors on depression are rare within the Asian context, especially in the elderly population.MethodsData for 29 099 older adults aged 65 years or above who have received health examinations at elderly health cen...

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Published inJournal of epidemiology and community health (1979) Vol. 74; no. 2; pp. 120 - 129
Main Authors Guo, Yingqi, Chang, Shu Sen, Chan, Chee Hon, Chang, Qingsong, Hsu, Chia-Yueh, Yip, Paul S F
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England BMJ Publishing Group LTD 01.02.2020
Subjects
Activities of daily living
Censuses
Chronic illnesses
Exercise
Gender
Geriatrics
Mental depression
Mental disorders
Mental health
Minority & ethnic groups
Older people
Physical fitness
Population
Poverty
Recreation
Studies
Urban areas
Variables
Hong Kong China
China
multilevel analysis
depression
Hong Kong
neighbourhood
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Summary:BackgroundPrevious studies investigating the independent effects of neighbourhood-level factors on depression are rare within the Asian context, especially in the elderly population.MethodsData for 29 099 older adults aged 65 years or above who have received health examinations at elderly health centres in Hong Kong in 2008–2011 were analysed. Using multilevel regression modelling, the cross-sectional associations of neighbourhood social attributes (neighbourhood poverty, ethnic minority, residential stability and elderly concentration) and physical (built) attributes (recreational services and walkability) with depression outcomes (depressive symptoms and depression) after adjusting for individual-level characteristics were investigated. Gender interaction effects were also examined.ResultsNeighbourhood poverty was associated with both depressive symptoms and depression in the elderly. Neighbourhood elderly concentration, recreational services and walkability were associated with fewer depressive symptoms. The association between neighbourhood poverty and elderly depressive symptoms was found in women only and not in men.ConclusionPolicies aimed at reducing neighbourhood poverty, increasing access to recreational services and enhancing walkability might be effective strategies to prevent depression in older adults in the urban settings.
Bibliography:ObjectType-Article-1
SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1
ObjectType-Feature-2
content type line 23
ISSN:0143-005X
1470-2738
DOI:10.1136/jech-2019-212977