Linking green space to neighborhood social capital in older adults: The role of perceived safety

Journal article


Hong, Andy, Sallis, Jim, King, Abby C., Conway, Terry, Saelens, Brian, Cain, Kelli, Fox, Eric H. and Frank, Lawrence. (2018). Linking green space to neighborhood social capital in older adults: The role of perceived safety. Social Science & Medicine. 207, pp. 38 - 45. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.04.051
AuthorsHong, Andy, Sallis, Jim, King, Abby C., Conway, Terry, Saelens, Brian, Cain, Kelli, Fox, Eric H. and Frank, Lawrence
Abstract

This study examines the moderating effect of perceived safety on the association of green space with neighborhood social capital in older adults. Green space may play an important role for promoting neighborhood social capital and health for older adults; however, safety remains a significant challenge in maximizing the benefits of green space. Data were drawn from 647 independent-living seniors who participated in the Senior Neighborhood Quality of Life Study in the Seattle/King County and Baltimore/Washington DC region. The results suggest that certain green space elements, such as natural sights, may be beneficial to neighborhood social capital of older adults. However, other types of green space, such as parks and street trees, may be less advantageous to older adults who perceive their neighborhoods as unsafe for pedestrians. Findings highlight the importance of pedestrian safety in examining associations of green space with neighborhood social capital in older adults. Further studies using a longitudinal design are warranted to confirm the causality of the findings.

KeywordsGreen space; Social capital; Social cohesion; Neighborhood; Safety; Older adults; Seattle; Baltimore
Year2018
JournalSocial Science & Medicine
Journal citation207, pp. 38 - 45
PublisherElsevier
ISSN0277-9536
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2018.04.051
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85046626113
Page range38 - 45
Research GroupMary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationUnited Kingdom
Permalink -

https://acuresearchbank.acu.edu.au/item/87x76/linking-green-space-to-neighborhood-social-capital-in-older-adults-the-role-of-perceived-safety

Restricted files

Publisher's version

  • 90
    total views
  • 0
    total downloads
  • 4
    views this month
  • 0
    downloads this month
These values are for the period from 19th October 2020, when this repository was created.

Export as