title: Associations between perceived proximity to neighborhood resources, disability, and social participation among community-dwelling older adults: results from the VoisiNuAge study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To examine the associations between perceived proximity to neighborhood resources, disability, and social participation and the potential moderating effect of perceived proximity to neighborhood resources on the association between disability and social participation in community-dwelling older women and men.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional.
  
  
  METHODS
  Community.
  
  
  METHODS
  Older adults (296 women, 258 men).
  
  
  METHODS
  Not applicable.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data for age, education, depressive symptoms, frequency of participation in community activities, perceived proximity to neighborhood resources (services, amenities), and functional autonomy in daily activities (disability) were collected by means of interviewer-administered questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Greater perceived proximity to resources and lower level of disability were associated with greater social participation for both women (R(2)=.10; P<.001) and men (R(2)=.05; P<.01). The association between disability and social participation did not vary as a function of perceived proximity to neighborhood resources in women (no moderating effect; P=.15). However, in men, greater perceived proximity to neighborhood resources enhanced social participation (P=.01), but only in those with minor or no disability.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Future studies should investigate why perceived proximity to services and amenities is associated with social participation in older men with minor or no disabilities and with women overall, but has no association in men with moderate disabilities.
authors: Université de Montréal Public Health Research Institute, Université de Montréal, Canada. melanie.levasseur@usherbrooke.ca
authors: Mélanie
authors: M
authors: Levasseur
authors: Lise
authors: L
authors: Gauvin
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Richard
authors: Yan
authors: Y
authors: Kestens
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Daniel
authors: Hélène
authors: H
authors: Payette
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D006233:Persons with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012737:Sex Factors; D058992:Social Participation