Perceptions matter: Physical neighborhood disadvantage and older adults’ emotional health

For adults aged 65 and older, the neighborhood environment can be a haven for successful aging or a source of chronic stress, especially if the neighborhood is perceived as disadvantaged. Consequently, neighborhood stressors can negatively affect older adults’ emotional health and wellbeing, particularly with regards to anxiety and anger. Utilizing the stress process model this study examines whether perceptions of neighborhood disadvantage affect older adults’ emotional health (i.e., anxiety and anger). In addition, this study tests whether mastery is a viable psychosocial resource that helps moderate and/or mediate the effects of perceived neighborhood disadvantage. Finally, drawing from intersectionality and socialization theories, I also investigate whether these relationships vary by race-gender group status. Data for this study are from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; N = 7106). Structural equation modeling (i.e., path analysis) was utilized to answer the research questions in the study. Results from the path analysis reveal that perceived neighborhood disadvantage is associated with increased anxiety and externalized anger (i.e., anger-out). Moreover, reduced mastery explains part of the effect of neighborhood disadvantage on anxiety and anger-out, respectively. There is also evidence of moderation by race-gender group status. The findings from this study demonstrate that older adults’ perceptions of physical neighborhood stressors matter in ways that can have a deleterious impact on their emotional health.