Neighborhood environments and intrinsic capacity interact to affect the health-related quality of life of older people in New Zealand.

Journal: Maturitas

Volume: 139

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2020

Affiliated Institutions:  School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Electronic address: c.v.stephens@massey.ac.nz. School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Electronic address: j.allen@massey.ac.nz. Centre for Innovative Ageing, Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, UK; Optentia Research Unit, North-West University, South Africa. Electronic address: n.keating@swansea.ac.uk. School of Health, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand. Electronic address: agnes.szabo@vuw.ac.nz. School of Psychology, Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand. Electronic address: f.m.alpass@massey.ac.nz.

Abstract summary 

Following the WHO 2015 policy framework, we tested the effects of older people's intrinsic capacity and their perceptions of their neighborhood environments on mental and physical health-related quality of life (QoL) outcomes across two years.Participants (mean age = 66) were drawn from two waves of a longitudinal study of aging (n = 2910) in 2016 and 2018. Regression analyses tested the main and interaction effects of intrinsic capacity and neighborhood factors on health-related QoL at T2 (controlling for T1).Intrinsic capacity was assessed with number of chronic conditions. Neighborhood perceptions was assessed with measures of housing suitability, neighborhood satisfaction, and neighborhood social cohesion. Health-related QoL was assessed with SF12 physical and mental health component scores.Perceptions of greater neighborhood accessibility and more trust among neighbours were associated with better mental health-related QoL two years later, but not to changes in physical health-related QoL. A significant interaction between intrinsic capacity and neighborhood access to facilities on physical health-related QoL over time showed that those reporting lower neighborhood access experienced a stronger impact of intrinsic capacity on physical health-related QoL.The neighborhood environment is important to the wellbeing of older people and is amenable to policy interventions. We need more work on the aspects of the immediate environment that support QoL in older age. This study points to the need for accessible facilities and cohesive neighborhoods to support health.

Authors & Co-authors:  Stephens Christine C Allen Joanne J Keating Norah N Szabó Ágnes Á Alpass Fiona F

Study Outcome 

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Statistics
Citations : 
Authors :  5
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/j.maturitas.2020.05.008
SSN : 1873-4111
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Aged
Other Terms
Environment;Healthy aging;Intrinsic capacity;Mental health;Neighborhoods;Physical health;Quality of life
Study Design
Longitudinal Study,Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
Publication Country
Ireland