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Journal of Aging and Health
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The Relationship of Neighborhood Climate to Perceived Social Support and Mental Health in Older Hispanic Immigrants in Miami, Florida

Scott C. Brown, PhD

University of Miami, Florida, sbrown{at}med.miami.edu

Craig A. Mason, PhD

University of Maine, Orono

Arnold R. Spokane, PhD

Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Maria Cristina Cruza-Guet, MEd

Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania

Barbara Lopez, PhD

University of Miami, Florida

José Szapocznik, PhD

University of Miami, Florida

Objective: This study examines the relationship of neighborhood climate (i.e., neighborhood social environment) to perceived social support and mental health outcomes in older Hispanic immigrants. Method: A population-based sample of 273 community-dwelling older Hispanic immigrants (aged 70 to 100) in Miami, Florida, completed self-report measures of neighborhood climate, social support, and psychological distress and performance-based measures of cognitive functioning. Structural equation modeling was used to model the relationship of neighborhood climate to elders' perceived social support and mental health outcomes (i.e., cognitive functioning, psychological distress). Results: Neighborhood climate had a significant direct relationship to cognitive functioning, after controlling for demographics. By contrast, neighborhood climate had a significant indirect relationship to psychological distress, through its relationship to perceived social support. Moreover, social support mediated the relationship between neighborhood climate and psychological distress. Discussion: Findings suggest that a more positive neighborhood social environment may be associated with better mental health outcomes in urban, older Hispanic immigrants.

Key Words: neighborhood climate • social environment • mental health • psychological distress • cognitive functioning • social support • Hispanics • Latinos • older adults • immigrants

Journal of Aging and Health, Vol. 21, No. 3, 431-459 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0898264308328976
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