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Objectives. To study the relationship of neighborhood climate (i.e., neighborhood social environment) to perceived social support and mental health outcomes in older Hispanic immigrants.
Methods. A population-based sample of 273 community-dwelling older Hispanic immigrants (ages 70-100) in Miami, FL, 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. In 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.
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