Trust In Neighbors Research Articles

A Spatial Regression Analysis on the Effect of Neighborhood-Level Trust on Cooperative Behaviors: Comparison With a Multilevel Regression Analysis.

There is no reason to suppose that neighborhood effects based on residents’ trust vary according to administrative boundaries. We examined the relationship between neighborhood trust and cooperative behaviors using the spatial Durbin model which assumed that people are influenced by closer neighbors regardless of administrative boundaries, comparing the results with those of the multilevel model. We used data from 476 residents in Arakawa Ward, Tokyo, Japan. For each respondent, we assigned a unique ‘neighborhood trust’ value weighted by the inverse distance between the respondent and all other respondents as an independent variable. The dependent variables were perceived neighbors’ cooperative behaviors and respondents’ own cooperative behaviors. The spatial Durbin model showed that spatially weighted neighborhood trust was positively associated with cooperative behaviors. Meanwhile, the multilevel models did not show the statistically significant effect of neighborhood trust. We concluded that the spatial model might model the neighborhood effects in society more precisely.

Income inequality and subjective wellbeing: Panel data evidence from China

Using four waves of longitudinal data from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS), we examine the effects of income inequality on subjective wellbeing (SWB). We take a dual approach in measuring income inequality, and thus, we examine the effects of inequality using province-level Gini coefficient as well as between-group inequality or identity-related inequality defined as the income gap between migrants without urban household registration identity (hukou) and urban residents. We find negative effects of both province-level income inequality and between-group income inequality on SWB, measured by life satisfaction. Our results also show that the effects of income inequality on SWB is stronger for rural hukou residents compared to urban hukou residents. These findings are robust to alternative ways of measuring SWB and income inequality. In addition, we find evidence suggesting that neighbourhood trust is an important channel through which income inequality operates to reduce SWB. We suggest policies that promote trust in communities with high inequality with a view of addressing the negative effects of inequality on SWB.

Social Capital and Physical Activity Level in an Urban Adult Population

ABSTRACTBackground: Despite several studies on the concept of social capital in relation to health during the last two decades, the majority of these works have been conducted in developed countries.Purposes: This study examines the correlation between domains of social capital (reciprocity, trust, and social network) and physical activity level in an Iranian adult population. In addition, the study explores to find whether this relation is affected by socioeconomic status. Method: A total of 2000 questionnaires were distributed among adults living in 12 neighborhoods of Bandar Abbas city, Iran. Of this population, 1828 qualified questionnaires were utilized for further analysis. Results: High level of physical inactivity (62.3%) was reported by the participants. Discussion: Norms of reciprocity and neighborhood trust associated with the higher physical activity level among men and women. However, social network contributed to a higher level of physical activity among women group. The study indicated the correlation of socioeconomic variables with social capital indicators and physical activity level. Translation to Health Education Practice: Findings suggest that programming efforts and research should focus on increasing organized activities that support neighborhood participation and social activity to promote social interaction and trust among residents.A AJHE Self-Study quiz is online for this article via the SHAPE America Online Institute (SAOI) http://portal.shapeamerica.org/trn-Webinars

Neighborhood perceptions and allostatic load: Evidence from Midlife in the United States study

Allostatic load, which represents the cumulative wear and tear on physiological systems resulting from long-term exposure to stress, provides a theoretical framework that can be applied to understand the association between neighborhood conditions and health outcomes. Within allostatic load theory perception plays a key role, as the cognitive appraisal process associated with one's perceptions determines whether external stimuli-such as neighborhood conditions-are deemed threatening or benign. With data from the Midlife Development in the United States, this study employed structural equation modeling to assess the association between neighborhood perceptions and cumulative, systems-level allostatic load scores. The findings demonstrate that neighborhood perception, as operationalized as a combination of perceived trust in neighbors, perceived neighborhood safety, and perceived neighborhood conditions, was inversely associated with allostatic load even when controlling for objective neighborhood conditions.

Neighborhood‐based social capital and cognitive function among older adults in five low‐ and middle‐income countries: Evidence from the World Health Organization Study on global AGEing and adult health

This study aims to investigate which neighborhood-based social capital components are associated with a higher level of cognitive function in LMICs. This international population-based study used cross-sectional survey data from the World Health Organization's Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE), a study of adults aged 50 years or older in China, Ghana, India, the Russian Federation, and South Africa from 2007 through 2010 (N = 29 528). Associations between neighborhood-based social capital indicators (trust in neighbors, perceived neighborhood safety, and community participation) and cognitive function were examined using ordinary least squares regressions and random-effects meta-analyses. Results of the meta-analyses of within-country effects indicated that trust in neighbors were positively associated with cognitive function across India, Russia, and Ghana, but negatively associated in South Africa (β = -0.041, SE = .013, P < .01) and no effect in China (P > .05). The significant effect of perceived neighborhood safety was only found in South Africa (β = 0.051, SE = .007, P < .001) and China (β = 0.030, SE = .005, P < .001). Community participation approached a null effect in South Africa (P > .05). Different indicators of neighborhood-based social capital, which are well-established protective resources for cognitive function, may have varied relationships with cognitive function cross-nationally. This finding provides a better understanding of the mechanisms by which neighborhood social capital may contribute to better cognitive function in LMICs than high-income countries, potentially due to differences in neighborhood environments, health systems, and availability of public resources.

COMMUNITY-LEVEL SOCIAL CAPITAL AND COGNITIVE FUNCTION AMONG OLDER ADULTS IN FIVE LOW- AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES

This study aims to investigate which community social capital components are associated with a higher likelihood of cognitive functions across economically and culturally distinctive low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We used cross-sectional survey data from the World Health Organization’s Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) 2007-2010. Associations between community-level social capital indicators and global cognitive scores were examined using ordinary least squares regressions and random-effects meta-analyses. The pooled analysis and meta-analyses of within-country effects indicated that trust in neighbors and coworkers were positively associated with cognitive functions for all these countries, whereas the significant effect of perceived neighborhood safety was only found in South Africa and China. Community participation approached a null effect only in South Africa. This finding explains how community social capital may contribute to better cognitive function through community environments, heath systems, and availability of public resources.

ACTIVITIES OF DAILY LIVING DIFFICULTIES AND TOILETING AMONG OLDER GHANAIANS: AN APPLICATION OF WHO-ICF FRAMEWORK

The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of activities of daily living (ADL) difficulties among older Ghanaians and specifically how one ADL, toileting difficulty, predicts care and supports needs using the World Health Organization International Classification of Disability and Health framework (WHO-ICF). Toileting difficulty requiring upper extremity strength is among ADLs that can lead to functional loss of independence among older people globally. A sample of n=5,096 adults aged 50 years and older from the WHO Study on global AGEing and adult health (SAGE) Ghana Wave 1 was used to analyze difficulties with ADLs and toileting. Level of difficulty was assessed against 22 other functioning items from the interview. Out of the 22 functioning items, climbing one flight of stairs without resting was the most difficult activity to be completed by older Ghanaians, and difficulty eating being the least endorsed item. Toileting was ranked the 16th in terms of reported difficulty and was related to other ADLs. Logistics multivariate regression was used to analyze data. Including significant variables from the univariate analysis in parsimonious model based on WHO-ICF framework, age, self-report health, memory, bodily pain, short distance vision, stroke, neighborhood trust, toilet facility type, and religious meeting attendance, were significantly independently associated with toileting difficulty. Gender was significant at the univariate level but became insignificant after adjusting for body function and structural variables. Toileting difficulty was associated with factors across different components in the WHO-ICF making the WHO-ICF an appropriate tool for understanding health and disability.

Immigrants’ Confidence in the Police in 34 Countries: A Multilevel Analysis

This study examines predictors of immigrants’ confidence in the police at the individual and national levels, based on the instrumental and expressive frameworks. Using the World Value Survey, the study analyzes data from 5,746 immigrants across 34 nations. Generalized multilevel mixed-effects models are utilized to test the effects of individual-level attributes and national-level structural indicators. Immigrants with a citizenship of the resident nation report higher confidence in the police. Neighborhood security, neighborhood trust, and perceived community membership influence immigrants’ confidence in the police. The national-level indicators, including diversity of the nation’s population and discriminatory culture, were significantly related to confidence in the police. In a society with a variety of nationalities and a more discriminatory culture, immigrants report more confidence in the police. Ensuring neighborhood security and improving social capital, such as institutional trust, are important for building confidence in the police.

Social capital and mental health status among the residents of a neighborhood in Istanbul, Turkey

Abstract There has been an increasing policy making and research for social determinants of health and inequalities in health. In such a framework social capital functions as an intermediate factor at the and it is increasingly investigated in health research. Social capital is defined as a resource that individuals may access through membership in a structure of network with certain values and through sharing these resources reciprocally. The objective of this study is to investigate the association between social capital and mental health status among residents of a small neighborhood on Istanbul. This is a cross-sectional study that has been carried out in Istanbul with individuals of age 18-65 years old. The study sample included 629 individuals selected by a stratified and systematic sampling process. Data was collected via a self-reported questionnaire including items for sociodemographic information, social capital and General Health Questionnaire. We applied Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis Tests subsequent to the normality tests of the distribution, and Chi Square Test for the categorical data. Linear and logistic regression models were used for multivariable analysis. Men constitute 51.7% of the people. Mean age was 40.1 (sd: 12.7). There was a significant association between social capital and being a woman and deprived neighborhood. In addition higher level of mental distress was significantly associated with lower level of neighborhood trust, social support and the higher level of perception that neighbors would take advantage of the participants when they got the chance. However national level trust and sense of people taking advantage of their neighbors were not significantly associated with mental health status. Social capital measured via trust and social support at the neighborhood level has been a determinant of mental health status. Efforts for decreasing socioeconomic inequalities should also include efforts to promote social capital. Key messages Social capital measured via trust and social support at the neighborhood level has been a determinant of mental health status. Efforts for decreasing socioeconomic inequalities should also include efforts to promote social capital.

Facebooking for Good: Online Contact to Address Offline Conflict

The present study examined the benefits of meeting new people on Facebook for social capital. Results of a two-wave national web survey ( N = 387) indicate that using the site to meet and interact with new people relates to trusting more in the average person over time. Facebook sociability also moderates the negative association between neighborhood diversity and trust over time. Diversity has less of a negative impact on trust locally for users who interact with new people online. Novel interactions on sites like Facebook improve perceptions of difference, demonstrating value for reconnecting the populace.

Confronting Crime by Ourselves: Trust in Neighbors, Trust in Authorities, and Anti-Crime Organization

In recent years, citizen-run anti-crime organizations have brought important challenges to Mexico and other Latin American countries. Under what circumstances are citizens more likely to seek out their neighbors to confront crime directly? I argue that when citizens do not trust state authorities, their perception of the trustworthiness of their community can increase their likelihood of engaging in anti-crime organization attempts. I analyze data from Mexico and find that an average citizen’s perception of the trustworthiness of his/her neighbors correlates with his/her likelihood of engaging in an anti-crime organization attempt. Further, consistent with the main argument of this paper, I find this link to be stronger among those who distrust the police. These findings contribute by bringing back citizens’ relation to the state as an important moderating force in society, and helping us understand when social trust can translate into controversial forms of state substitution.

Beyond the Individual: Evidence Linking Neighborhood Trust and Social Isolation Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

Loneliness and social isolation are significant public health problems. However, the community and neighborhood factors that contribute to this pandemic are less examined. Adopting a neighborhood resource-based social capital theory, we examined whether neighborhood trust was associated with older Americans' loneliness, number of friends, and perceived support from friends. We analyzed two waves of longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study, with a sample of 5,817 Americans aged 50 years and older. We used first difference models to analyze the data and controlled for potential confounders including perceived support from family and health status. Increases in the perception that neighbors are trustworthy and helpful were associated with statistically significant decreases in loneliness and increases in perceived social support from friends over a 4-year period. Findings have implications for conceptualizing social capital and for potential interventions targeting interpersonal trust and reducing loneliness and social isolation.

Neighbourhood ethnic diversity and mental health in Australia

We present the first study that empirically examines the effects of neighbourhood ethnic diversity on mental health. Using 16 waves of longitudinal data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey, we find that ethnic diversity is negatively associated with mental health. Our preferred estimates, using lagged ethnic diversity at the state level to instrument for neighbourhood ethnic diversity, suggest that a standard deviation increase in ethnic diversity is associated with a decline of 0.092-0.129 standard deviations in mental health. This result is robust to alternative estimation approaches to addressing endogeneity of ethnic diversity and alternative ways of measuring ethnic diversity and irrespective of whether mental health is measured with the Mental Health Inventory scale or the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). We further find that ethnic diversity influences mental health through the level of neighbourhood trust. Our findings point to the need to develop policies that promote social inclusion in multicultural societies and build trust between heterogeneous ethnic groups as a vehicle to improve mental health.

Social Capital and Tobacco Retail Outlet Density: An Empirical Test of the Relationship.

To examine the relationship between tobacco outlet density and social capital. Parents of at least one teen (N = 2734) in a representative sample of US households with teens (ages 13-16). Population-based, cross-sectional survey of a web panel of adolescent-parent pairs matched with spatial data for address to characterize household neighborhoods. US households identified by latitude and longitude with a 50-ft random shift. Perceived social capital (trust and informal social control as reported by parents), tobacco outlet density (retailers per land area in 1/2-mile buffer around each household), neighborhood demographics (derived from American Community Survey), and parent demographics. Multivariable regression examined the relationship between tobacco outlet density and social capital controlling for household buffer and individual-level covariates, including correlates of social capital. Tobacco outlet density was inversely correlated with perceived trust in neighbors (B = -1.12, P = .0004), but not social control (B = 0.11, P = .731). This study is the first we are aware of to find that social capital is related to tobacco outlet density. The results imply that individuals with low social capital may benefit from policies regulating tobacco outlet density and may benefit from policies that address neighborhood inequality by increasing social capital and reducing poverty.

Individual and regional factors associated with suicidal ideation among Korean elderly: a multilevel analysis of the Korea Community Health Survey

OBJECTIVESThis study aimed to identify the individual and regional characteristics that influence suicidal ideation among the Korean elderly population.METHODSUsing data collected from the 2013 Korea Community Health Survey, a multilevel analysis was performed to establish an understanding of individual behavioral patterns and regional influences on suicidal ideation.RESULTSAmong the 77,407 individuals sampled, 11,236 (14.5%) elderly people over 60 years of age experienced suicidal ideation. Among individual factors, age, frequency of communication with friends, religious activity, social activity, leisure activity, trust in neighbors, subjective stress level, depressive symptoms, and subjective health status were significantly associated with suicidal ideation. The results showed that the lower the regional deprivation level, the higher the suicidal ideation odds ratio. In terms of regional size, the most significant effects were found in rural areas.CONCLUSIONSThis study suggested that suicidal ideation in the elderly is associated with community factors, such as the regional deprivation index, as well as personal factors.

Loneliness correlates and associations with health variables in the general population in Indonesia

BackgroundLoneliness has been commonly reported in high-income countries, while less is known about loneliness in Association of the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) member states, in particular in Indonesia.ObjectiveThe aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of loneliness, its correlates and associations with health variables in a national survey in the general population in Indonesia.MethodsIn the Indonesia Family Life Survey (IFLS-5) in 2014–2015, 31,447 participants 15 years and older (median age 35.0 years, interquartile range = 22.0) were interviewed and examined in a national population-based cross-sectional study. The self-reported prevalence of loneliness, blood pressure, body height and weight, physical and mental health, health behaviour and psychosocial variables were measured. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to estimate determinants of loneliness and logistic and linear regression analyses were applied to estimate the associations of loneliness with physical, mental and health risk behaviour variables.ResultsThe self-reported prevalence of loneliness (occasionally or all of the time or 3–7 days per week) was 10.6% (11.0% for females and 10.1% for males), and 8.0% reported sometimes (1–2 days/week) to be lonely. Loneliness was distributed in a slight U-shaped form, with adolescents and the oldest old having the highest prevalence of loneliness. In adjusted multinomial logistic regression analysis, lower education, lower economic status, adverse childhood experiences, having one or more chronic conditions, functional disability and low neighbourhood trust were associated with loneliness. Loneliness was significantly associated with most health variables, including self-reported unhealthy health status (AOR 1.70, CI 1.57, 1.84), cognitive functioning (Beta: − 0.72, CI − 0.90 to − 0.54), having one or more chronic medical conditions (AOR 1.25, CI 1.16, 1.35), having had a stroke (AOR 1.58, CI 1.08, 2.29), depression symptoms (Beta: 5.19, CI 4.98–5.39), sleep disturbance (Beta: 0.34, CI 0.31–0.37), sleep related impairment (Beta: 0.69, CI 0.64–0.73), low life satisfaction (AOR 1.78, CI 1.64, 1.93), out-patient health care utilization in the past 4 weeks (AOR 1.11, CI 1.01, 1.21), current tobacco use (AOR 1.42, CI 1.28, 1.58), and one or more days in the past week soft drink consumption (AOR 1.20, CI 1.10, 1.31).ConclusionLoneliness was found to be prevalent across the life span and was associated with a number of poorer health variables. Several factors associated with loneliness were identified, which warrant further research in Indonesia.

Examining collective efficacy and perceptions of policing in East Baltimore

This study examines how residents from a high-crime, high-poverty neighborhood in East Baltimore interact with one another, participate in their community, and perceive police. Using community surveys collected from 191 respondents, the study empirically measures collective efficacy, community participation, and police services and encounters. We predict that high levels of collective efficacy lead to more positive perceptions of police and an increased willingness to work with law enforcement. The results indicate that neighborhood trust is an important factor in shaping a community’s overall perception of police. Furthermore, older residents who own their homes are more likely to report a more positive perception of police, specifically police response.

Acetaminophen influences social and economic trust

Acetaminophen has long been assumed to selectively alleviate physical pain, but recent research has started to reveal its broader psychological effects. Building on this work, we find suggestive evidence that acetaminophen affects the basic social process of trust across a national survey and five lab experiments. In a national community sample (MIDUS II), acetaminophen usage was negatively associated with neighborhood trust and feelings of social integration. In a series of lab experiments (N = 767), acetaminophen reduced the influence of self-generated expectations on investments in a trust game. When we manipulated trust game investor expectations, acetaminophen increased investments regardless of expectations. These results provide the first demonstration that an over-the-counter drug can impact trust-related behavior. Overall, the findings paint a complex picture of how situational factors may influence drug effects.

Relationship between trust in neighbors and regional brain volumes in a population-based study

Trust is a fundamental part of human interpersonal relationships, and among other complex factors it is shown to be linked with demographic characteristics and specific regions of the brain. The authors utilized a large, community-based database gathered from the Dallas Heart Study to determine specific brain regions associated with an individual's trust in neighbors. A trust questionnaire was taken and regional brain volumes were determined from structural magnetic resonance imaging. Two analyses using logistic regressions in a training set and validation set were performed to investigate the association between measures of trust and bilateral brain region volumes and thickness. A total of 1527 participants were included in the final analysis. Right caudal anterior cingulate cortex thickness and left caudate volume were inversely correlated with neighbor trust, while left amygdala volume was positively correlated with neighbor trust. Greater age and higher level of education were positively correlated with neighbor trust. African Americans showed less neighbor trust than Caucasians and Hispanics. Anterior cingulate cortex, caudate, and amygdala are all integral parts of the salience network; thus, results of this study suggest that the salience network, the brain network responsible for functions such as communication and social behavior, may play a role in the formation of interpersonal trust.

Measures of personal social capital over time: A path analysis assessing longitudinal associations among cognitive, structural, and network elements of social capital in women and men separately.

Studies on personal social capital and health have relied on several key measures of social capital - trust, participation, network capital - all with the aim of capturing the resources to which individuals or groups might have access through their social networks. As this work has evolved, researchers have sought to differentiate among key measures, often arguing that each represents a different type of social capital. Despite the importance of this work, few studies have examined (a) whether these measures are in fact distinct constructs, particularly over time, (b) if these relationships are causal, and (c) whether gender patterns the ways these measures are related. Using a probability-based sample of adults with 1-3 observations per respondent, we apply generalized structural equation modeling to assess in women and men separately whether generalized trust, trust in neighbors, network diversity, social isolation, and social participation are associated with each other, hypertension, and self-reported health over a five-year period. The initial response rate was 38.7%, with cooperation rates of 60.4% and 56.3% at waves two and three. Findings highlight stability in the longitudinal relationship of the same measure across waves. They also suggest that social capital measures operate differently for men and women, with key measures of one type of social capital more often associated with another type in women than men. Nevertheless, the strengths of the associations remain weak in women and men, particularly over time, suggesting that these measures (especially generalized trust) may be inadequate proxies for each other. Lastly, social capital seemed more salient for women's than men's health. Future research on social capital might consider more deeply the role and meaning of gender in interpreting the results of studies linking social capital to health. Further consideration of trust, participation, and network capital as distinct constructs is also warranted.