Neighborhood Social Capital and Achieved Mobility of Older Adults. (December 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Rosso, Andrea L.; Tabb, Loni P.; Grubesic, Tony H.; Taylor, Jennifer A.; Michael, Yvonne L.
• Other Names: Michael Yvonne L. guest-editor.; Yen Irene H. guest-editor.
• Is Part Of: Journal of aging and health. Volume 26:Number 8(2014:Dec.)
• Page Start: 1301
• Page End: 1319
• Publication Date: 2014-12
• Subjects: aging -- social capital -- mobility -- neighborhoods; Older people -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1177/0898264314523447
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0898-2643

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate associations of neighborhood social capital and mobility of older adults.Method: A community-based survey (Philadelphia, 2010) assessed mobility (Life-Space Assessment [LSA]; range = 0-104) of older adults ( n = 675, census tracts = 256). Social capital was assessed for all adults interviewed from 2002-2010 ( n = 13, 822, census tracts = 374). Generalized estimating equations adjusted for individual- and neighborhood-level characteristics estimated mean differences and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in mobility by social capital tertiles. Interactions by self-rated health, living arrangement, and race were tested.Results: Social capital was not associated with mobility after adjustment for other neighborhood characteristics (mean difference for highest versus lowest tertile social capital = 0.79, 95% CI = [−3.3, 4.8]). We observed no significant interactions. In models stratified by race, Black participants had higher mobility in high social capital neighborhoods (mean difference = 7.4, CI = [1.0, 13.7]).Discussion: Social capital may not contribute as much as other neighborhood characteristics to mobility. Interactions between neighborhood and individual-level characteristics should be considered in research on mobility.