title: Community engagement: an essential component of well-being in older African-American adults.
abstract: Active engagement in life is a critical factor for successful aging. Research indicates that community engagement is strongly associated with health and well-being in late life. However, less is understood regarding the influence of neighborhood conditions on health and well-being, particularly in older African-American adults. The current study describes a convenience sample of older African Americans (N = 501, mean age = 70.7 [range 55-95] years) living in Detroit. The specific goal is to examine the relationships between their perceptions of neighborhood conditions, level of community engagement, and their health and well-being. Survey findings reveal a sample of highly engaged older African Americans in reasonable health who perceive their neighborhoods favorably. Regression analysis results indicate that community engagement is closely associated with both neighborhood perceptions and well-being in this sample. We propose that community engagement or "participation" mediates the relationship between neighborhood conditions and well-being for older African Americans living in Detroit.
authors: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors: Chad
authors: C
authors: Tiernan
authors: Institute of Gerontology, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan 48202, USA.
authors: Cathy
authors: C
authors: Lysack
authors: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors: Stewart
authors: S
authors: Neufeld
authors: Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan, USA.
authors: Peter A
authors: PA
authors: Lichtenberg
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000523:psychology*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012944:Social Support