Perceived neighborhood characteristics and activity engagement among racially and ethnically diverse older adults.

Background and objectives: This study investigated whether perceived neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder are associated with activity engagement among older adults, with a focus on racial and ethnic differences.

Research design and methods: We employed data from the 2018 and 2020 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (N = 8,036 adults aged 50 and above). Activity engagement was measured as the total number of activities in which older adults participated on a monthly basis. The independent variables were perceived neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder. We used Poisson regression to examine the associations between neighborhood characteristics and activity engagement, including the interaction between these characteristics and race/ethnicity.

Results: Both neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder were positively associated with overall activity engagement. The effect of social cohesion on overall activity engagement was weaker among Hispanic older adults compared to older non-Hispanic White older adults, but the effect of physical disorder on activity engagement was stronger among Hispanic older adults compared to older non-Hispanic White adults. No significant interaction results were found for non-Hispanic Black older adults.

Discussion and implications: Older adults in neighborhoods with high physical disorder were more likely to engage in activities than those living in neighborhoods with less physical disorder. These older adults may belong to tight-knit social networks with strong bonds, working together to reduce the negative impact of physical disorder. The benefits of social cohesion were less pronounced for Hispanic older adults, who may prioritize individual or family activities over neighborhood activities.