title: Neighbourhood influences on participation in activities among older adults with chronic health conditions.
abstract: We examined the relationships between perceptions of neighbourhood characteristics and satisfaction with participation in everyday activities among 248 older adults with chronic health conditions in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. We used a cross-sectional survey to collect data regarding neighbourhood characteristics, social support, social network size, and individual characteristics. Path analysis showed that fewer neighbourhood problems directly predict higher levels of satisfaction with participation. Neighbourhood cohesion indirectly predicts participation by predicting social support, which predicts participation. Neighbourhood safety indirectly predicts participation by predicting increased social cohesion and neighbourhood amenities may influence participation similarly. Changes to neighbourhood characteristics have the potential to facilitate participation in daily activities for older adults with chronic health conditions.
authors.affiliation: School of Rehabilitation Science, McMaster University, 1400 Main St W, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 1C7, Canada. handc@mcmaster.ca
authors.forename: Carri
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hand
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Law
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanna
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.forename: Mary Ann
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McColl
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012449:Safety; D012919:Social Behavior; D012944:Social Support