The Associations and Correlations Between Self-reported Health and Neighborhood Cohesion and Disorder in a Community-dwelling U.S. Chinese Population

Abstract

Our findings suggest that neighborhood cohesion and neighborhood disorder are correlated to the health of U.S. Chinese older adults. Future longitudinal research should examine the relationship between community characteristics, both structural and social, and health-related outcomes.

Association Between Neighborhood Cohesion and Self‐Neglect in Chinese‐American Older Adults

“…Although no significant associations were found between neighborhood cohesion and hoarding, unsanitary conditions, and inadequate utilities, the lack of associations implied the complexity of the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and self‐neglect in this Chinese community. A prior study found that, in this Chinese community, neighborhood cohesion was positively correlated with neighborhood disorder . In other words, greater neighborhood cohesion may predict greater neighborhood disorder in the same community.…”

“…A prior study found that, in this Chinese community, neighborhood cohesion was positively correlated with neighborhood disorder. 21 In other words, greater neighborhood cohesion may predict greater neighborhood disorder in the same community. Moreover, neighborhood disorder has been linked to adverse health outcomes, which may increase the risk of self-neglect.…”

Environmental Factors Associated with Chinese Older Immigrants' Social Engagement

“…A possibility is that most Chinese older adults live in Chinatown or other ethnic enclaves in which other Chinese people reside. This type of coethnic residence pattern, in which residents are of the same ethnic background, usually exists in working‐class neighborhoods that are not well maintained . On the other hand, the high coethnic density could also promote a higher level of social engagement.…”

“…Neighborhood disorder and cohesion was measured by a list of questions used in previous research . Each neighborhood disorder question was measured on a 4‐point scale (from 0 [never] to 3 [often]) regarding the frequency of observed presence of neighborhood disorganization, such as trash, strangers, or unsafety of walking around.…”

“…Moreover, neighborhood cohesion and sense of community can facilitate older adults' community and social participation . Neighborhood contexts play an important role in influencing older Chinese immigrants, as they tend to live in ethnic enclaves; and community centers are a critical space for them to attend physical and leisure activities and make friends . Based on this evidence, we hypothesized that, free of financial difficulties, a higher level of social support, neighborhood cohesion, a sense of community, and a lower level of neighborhood disorder are associated with a higher level of social engagement among Chinese older immigrants (Hypothesis 1).…”