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Safety in numbers: Does perceived safety mediate associations between the neighborhood social environment and physical activity among women living in disadvantaged neighborhoods?
Timperio, Anna Veitch, Jenny Carver, Alison
Timperio, Anna
Veitch, Jenny
Carver, Alison
Abstract
Objective The aim of this study is to examine associations between the neighborhood social environment and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA)1 and walking among women, and whether these associations are mediated by perceived personal safety. Methods Women (n = 3784) living in disadvantaged urban and rural neighborhoods within Victoria, Australia completed a self-administered survey on five social environment variables (neighborhood crime, neighborhood violence, seeing others walking and exercising in the neighborhood, social trust/cohesion), perceived personal safety, and their physical activity in 2007/8. Linear regression analyses examined associations between social environment variables and LTPA and walking. Potential mediating pathways were assessed using the product-of-coefficients test. Moderated mediation by urban/rural residence was examined. Results Each social environment variable was positively associated with engaging in at least 150 min/week of LTPA (OR = 1.16 to 1.56). Only two social environment variables, seeing others walking (OR = 1.45) and exercising (OR = 1.31), were associated with ≥ 150 min/week of walking. Perceived personal safety mediated all associations. Stronger mediation was found in urban areas for crime, violence and social trust/cohesion. Conclusion The neighborhood social environment is an important influence on physical activity among women living in disadvantaged areas. Feelings of personal safety should not be included in composite or aggregate scores relating to the social environment.
Keywords
Physical activity, Walking, Environment, Women, Safety, Correlates, Mediation, Social, Neighborhood, Disadvantage
Date
2015
Type
Journal article
Journal
Preventive Medicine
Book
Volume
74
Issue
Page Range
49-54
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
License
File Access
Controlled