Perceived Neighborhood and Mental Health of Older Asian Americans in Central Texas

Background/Purpose: Given the importance of the immediate neighborhood environment in older ethnic minorities, the present study examined how subjective perceptions of neighborhood would impact mental distress of older Asian Americans. It was hypothesized that negative perceptions of neighborhood in safety, social cohesion, and satisfaction would exacerbate mental distress of older Asian Americans.  

Methods: The data were drawn from the 2015 Asian American Quality of Life (AAQoL) survey. As a part of the city of Austin’s AAQoL initiative, paper and pencil format of surveys were conducted with self-identified Asian Americans aged 18 and older, using questionnaires available in English and six Asian languages (Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Hindi, Gujarati, and Tagalog). Among a total of 2,614 participants, those aged 60 and over (n = 533) were selected for the present study. Mental distress was indexed by the Kessler 6 (Kessler et al., 2002) and neighborhood social cohesion was measured with the 5 items adopted from the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhood Community Survey (Sampson et al., 1995). Each neighborhood safety and satisfaction was measured with the single question evaluating the safety and satisfaction of the City of Austin. Multiple linear regression model of psychological distress was tested with a sequential entry of predictor variables: background variables (age, gender, marital status, living status, education, length of residency in the U.S., and English proficiency), health-related variables (functional disability, chronic conditions, self-rated health), and perceived neighborhood environment (safety, social cohesion, and satisfaction).  

Results: The present sample presented a high level of mental distress (MD=4.35, SD=4.34). The average levels of perceived neighborhood safety, social cohesion, and satisfaction were 3.02 (SD=0.68), 17.72 (SD=4.01), and 3.23 (SD=0.63), respectively. In the initial regression model, background variables explained 4% of the variance, and unmarried status was found to be a significant risk factor of mental distress. The entry of health-related variables added 5% of the explained variance to the model, with greater levels of functional disability and poorer ratings of health being significant predictors. After controlling for background and health-related variables, additional 8% was accounted by perceived neighborhood environment variables. Higher levels of mental distress were observed among those with more negative perceptions of neighborhood safety and social cohesion.  

Conclusion/Implications: The effect of neighborhood on mental health was salient in older Asian Americans. Findings from the present study not only identified the mental health threats posed by negative perceptions of neighborhood but also called attention to the role of neighborhood environment in mental health promotion of the target population.