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Objectives. Research on contextual and neighborhood effects increasingly includes the influences of the built (physical) environment on residents’ health and social well-being. A population-based study examined whether architectural features of the built environment theorized to promote observations and social interactions (e.g., porches; windows) predict Hispanic elders’ psychological distress.
Methods. Coding of built environment features of all 3857 lots across 403 blocks in East Little Havana, FL, and enumeration of elders in 16,000 households, was followed by assessments of perceived social support and psychological distress in a representative sample of 273 low-SES Hispanic elders. Structural-equation modeling was used to assess relationships between block-level built environment features and elders’ perceived social support and psychological distress.
Results. Architectural features of the front entrance such as porches that promote visibility from a building’s exterior were positively associated with elders’ perceived social support. In contrast, architectural features such as window area that promote visibility from a building’s interior were negatively associated with perceived social support. Perceived social support in turn was associated with reduced psychological distress after controlling for demographics. Additionally, perceived social support mediated the relationship of built environment variables to psychological distress.
Conclusions. Architectural features that facilitate direct, in-person interactions may be beneficial for Hispanic elders’ mental health.
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