title: Social cohesion and belonging predict the well-being of community-dwelling older people.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The neighborhood social environment has been identified as an important aspect of older people's well-being. Poor neighborhood conditions can pose difficulties in obtaining support, especially for older people who live alone. Although social environments have been found to be related to well-being among older people, the longitudinal relationship between the social environment and well-being remains poorly undestood. Research on the effects of changes in neighborhood characteristics, such as social cohesion and social belonging, on well-being is lacking. Therefore, the study aims are (i) describe social cohesion, social belonging, and instrumental goals to achieve well-being among community-dwelling older people, (ii) determine whether these factors varied according to neighborhood social deprivation and compare these findings to those from chronically ill/previously hospitalized older people, and (iii) identify longitudinal relationships between social cohesion and belonging and well-being.
  
  
  METHODS
  Independently living Dutch older adults (aged ≥ 70 years) were asked to complete questionnaires in 2011 (T0) and 2013 (T1). Response rates at T0 and T1 were 66% (945/1440) and 62% (588/945), respectively. Descriptive statistics, paired sample t-tests, analysis of variance, univariate analyses and multilevel regression analyses controlling for background characteristics and baseline well-being were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 945 respondents [43% male; mean age, 77.5 ± 5.8 (range, 70-101) years], 34.7% were married and 83.3% were Dutch natives. Social cohesion remained constant over time, whereas social belonging improved (p ≤ 0.05). Older people living in socially deprived neighborhoods report poorer overall well-being and instrumental goals to achieve well-being. Baseline social cohesion, changes therein (both p ≤ .001), baseline social belonging, and changes therein (both p ≤ .05) predicted well-being at T1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that social cohesion, belonging, and changes therein predict the social as well as physical well-being of community-dwelling older people in the Netherlands over time. The creation of stronger ties among neighbors and a sense of belonging is needed.
authors: Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, the Netherlands. cramm@bmg.eur.nl.
authors: Jane M
authors: JM
authors: Cramm
authors: Institute of Health Policy and Management, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, Rotterdam, 3000 DR, the Netherlands. nieboer@bmg.eur.nl.
authors: Anna P
authors: AP
authors: Nieboer
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires