The Contribution of Sense of Community to the Association Between Age-Friendly Built Environment and Health in a High-Density City: A Cross-Sectional Study of Middle-Aged and Older Adults in Hong Kong

Jennifer Y.M. Tang, Cheryl H.K. Chui, Vivian W.Q. Lou, Rebecca L.H. Chiu, Robin Kwok, Michael Tse, Angela Y.M. Leung, Pui Hing Chau, Terry Y.S. Lum

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

22 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Sense of community may be shaped by the quality of the physical environment and has potential health implications. Based on a survey of 2,247 community-dwelling middle-aged and older adults living in Hong Kong, we tested the mediation effect of sense of community on the relationship between the quality of the built environment and physical and mental health using path analysis. The quality of the built environment was indicated by the age-friendliness of outdoor spaces and buildings. No direct association was found between the built environment and health outcomes, although age-friendly outdoor spaces were associated with better mental health. Sense of community mediated 14% of the total effect between outdoor spaces and mental health and 44.8% of the total effect between buildings and physical health, underscoring the importance of accommodating the social needs of middle-aged and older people in urban development in high-density cities.

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages10
JournalJournal of Applied Gerontology
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 6 Feb 2021

Keywords

  • community
  • environment
  • health-related quality of life
  • mental health
  • social support

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Gerontology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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