Exploring the Role of the Built and Social Neighborhood Environment in Moderating Stress and Health
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ORIGINAL ARTICLE
Exploring the Role of the Built and Social Neighborhood Environment in Moderating Stress and Health Stephen A. Matthews, B.Sc., Ph.D. & Tse-Chuan Yang, Ph.D.
Published online: 19 March 2010 # The Society of Behavioral Medicine 2010
Abstract Background Health researchers have explored how different aspects of neighborhood characteristics contribute to health and well-being, but current understanding of built environment factors is limited. Purpose This study explores whether the association between stress and health varies by residential neighborhood, and if yes, whether built and social neighborhood environment characteristics act as moderators. Methods This study uses multilevel modeling and variables derived from geospatial data to explore the role of neighborhood environment in moderating the association of stress with health. Individual-level data (N=4,093) were drawn from residents of 45 neighborhoods within Philadelphia County, PA, collected as part of the 2006 Philadelphia Health Management Corporation's Household Health Survey. Results We find that the negative influence of high stress varied by neighborhood, that residential stability and affluence (social characteristics) attenuated the association of high stress with health, and that the presence of hazardous waste facilities (built environment characteristics) moderated health by enhancing the association with stress. Conclusions Our findings suggest that neighborhood environment has both direct and moderating associations with
S. A. Matthews (*) Population Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802-6211, USA e-mail: [email protected] T.-C. Yang Social Science Research Institute, The Pennsylvania State University, 803 Oswald Tower, University Park, PA 16802-6211, USA e-mail: [email protected]
health, after adjusting for individual characteristics. The use of geospatial data could broaden the scope of stress–health research and advance knowledge by untangling the intertwined relationship between built and social environments, stress, and health. In particular, future studies should integrate built environment characteristics in health-related research; these characteristics are modifiable and can facilitate health promotion policies. Keywords Stress . Health . Neighborhood environment . Philadelphia
Introduction Recent literature on neighborhood effects typically adopts multilevel designs, incorporating contextual data, to explain variations in health across residential areas. Researchers have explored how different aspects of neighborhood characteristics are associated with health and well-being [1, 2], though our current understanding of the mechanisms and processes by which neighborhood “gets under the skin” is limited [3, 4]. The research focus has begun to shift from asking whether to why neighborhood matters [5]. Although health researchers have worked to identify direct associations between health outcomes and neighborhood, the need for further exploration of potential mechanisms and indir
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