Associations of neighbourhood sociodemographic characteristics with depressive and anxiety symptoms in older age: Results from a 5-wave study over 15 years. (September 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Motoc, I.; Timmermans, E.J.; Deeg, D.; Penninx, B.W.J.H.; Huisman, M.
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 59(2019:Sep.)
• Publication Date: 2019-09
• Subjects: Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.102172
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: We examined the long-term association between objective neighbourhood sociodemographic characteristics (index of socioeconomic position (SEP), average income, percent low-income earners, average house price, percent immigrants and urban density) with depressive and anxiety symptoms, covering five 3-year waves of the Longitudinal Aging Study Amsterdam (n = 3, 772). Multi-level regression models assessed each neighbourhood-level characteristic separately, adjusting for individual-level covariates. A higher percentage of immigrants and higher urban density, but not other neighbourhood characteristics, were significantly associated with depressive and anxiety symptoms over time in models adjusted for individual SEP. Results of time interaction models indicated that the associations were stable over the 15-year period. Highlights: Higher urban density was associated with more depressive and anxiety symptoms. Higher percent immigrants was associated with more depressive and anxiety symptoms. These associations were stable over the 15-year period. Only urban density remained statistically significant in a model assessing both neighbourhood characteristics. Urban density may be an important factor contributing to poor mental health of older adults.