Examining the bi-directional temporal associations between perceived age-based discrimination and perceived neighborhood characteristics

Abstract

Perceived age-based discrimination has negative effects on health and wellbeing. Although its consequences are well acknowledged, less is known about the environmental context in which perceived age-based discrimination occurs and whether it affects people's perceptions of their nearby environment. This study aimed to disentangle the bi-directional temporal associations between perceived age-based discrimination and perceived neighborhood characteristics. The Health and Retirement Study is a representative panel study of US residents over the age of 50. The present study relied on three waves of the leave behind psychosocial questionnaire administered in 2010 (N = 8332), 2014 (N = 7.541), and 2018 (N = 5738). A cross-lagged analysis was conducted using Mplus. The study found a temporal bi-directional association between perceived neighborhood positive characteristics and perceived age discrimination, so that those who hold more positive perceptions of their own environment also are less likely to report perceived age-based discrimination four years later. The opposite direction of effects also was supported. There were no differences between the younger age group (50–65 years old) and the older age group (65+years) in these cross-lagged associations. The findings highlight the subjective nature of both perceived age-based discrimination and perceived neighborhood characteristics by possibly pointing to a shared worldview, which contributes to both.