Relative importance of physical and social aspects of perceived neighbourhood environment for self-reported health.
OBJECTIVE
To explore the relative importance of the perceived physical and social neighbourhood environment for physical and mental health.


METHODS
A representative random sample of adults was recruited from 10 areas across Stoke-on-Trent, UK (June-September 2007). Interview-administered surveys were used to record data on the perceived neighbourhood environment (physical and social), self-reported health, and socio-demographics. Multiple regression analysis was used to explore independent associations between environmental factors and physical and mental health.


RESULTS
Independent physical and social environmental factors respectively explained 6.0% and 3.2% of variability in physical health and 2.8% and 4.4% of variability in mental health. Diversity of land use was the strongest and only physical environmental predictor of physical health (Beta=0.27, p<0.001), explaining more variability than social environmental factors combined. Conversely, social support was the most important (and only) social environmental factor for mental health (Beta=-0.20, p<0.001); again, this explained more variability in mental health than the combined effect of four physical environmental predictors.


CONCLUSIONS
Perceived physical and social environmental characteristics were important for physical and mental health, independent of socio-demographic factors. Living in neighbourhoods with greater land use diversity appears particularly important for physical health, whereas social support appears more closely linked to mental health.
Gidlow
Christopher
C
Centre for Sport Health and Exercise Research, Faculty of Health, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, England. c.gidlow@staffs.ac.uk
Cochrane
Thomas
T
Davey
Rachel C
RC
Smith
Graham
G
Fairburn
Jon
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004739:England; D004779:Environment Design; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D010465:Perception; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D057566:Self Report; D012931:Social Environment; D016138:Walking; D055815:Young Adult