Neighborhood Satisfaction Research Articles

The Impact of Cognitive Impairment on Life Satisfaction in Older Adults: Examining the Double Mediating Roles of Neighborhood Satisfaction and Social Participation

ABSTRACT The environment plays an integral role in the lives of individuals with cognitive decline. This study analyzed data from the National Survey of Older Koreans (2020) (9,885 older Koreans). The results showed that cognitively impaired group had lower community environment satisfaction than the cognitively healthy group, which led to lower social participation and lower life satisfaction, and the double mediation effect was significant (B = −.001, p < .001). However, there was no direct effect of cognitive status on life satisfaction (B = .004, p = .759). The findings highlight the imperative for the development of neighborhood environments that foster social engagement among older adults experiencing cognitive decline.

Sense of community, life satisfaction and psychological distress among seniors – HUNT4 study, Norway

Abstract Background Strong sense of community with one’s neighbors may benefit psychosocial well-being. Moreover, local communities with high level of belonging and social cohesion can have a positive impact on public mental health. This study aims to investigate associations between sense of community and life satisfaction - at both an individual and local community level in a Norwegian county. Methods Data from Trøndelag Health Study 4 (HUNT4: 2017-2019) on 22 939 participants were linked to geographic data of residence from Statistics Norway. The basic statistical unit in Norwegian, known as “grunnkrets,” serves to identify participants’ local communities. These units are subdivisions of municipalities, covering geographically contiguous areas that typically include a few hundred inhabitants. This population-based study enables investigation of variation in sense of community, trust, life satisfaction and psychological distress on individual and community level. Results Seniors (median age 70.3 years) with strong sense of community with their neighbors had more than three times higher odds (95%CI 3.08-3.93) of high level of life satisfaction and less than 0.3 times lower odds (95%CI 0.26-0.33) of psychological distress symptoms vs those with low sense of community, adjusted to sociodemographic variables. The average sense of community varied between local communities (N = 284). At this local geographical unit, strong sense of community was associated with high level of trust, enjoying the neighborhood and high life satisfaction. Conclusions The study can inform public health policy to consider development of social infrastructures that bolster sense of community among seniors within neighborhoods. Policy and action plans targeting to increase the overall sense of community in neighborhoods may contribute to create mental health-promoting and age-friendly local communities in Norway. Key messages • At individual level, sense of community with neighbors are associated with life satisfaction and psychological distress among Norwegian seniors. • The average sense of community varies between geographic local areas and are associated with level of trust, enjoying the neighborhood, average life satisfaction, and psychological distress.

The effects of neighborhood perceptions on response to a technology-assisted parenting intervention for adolescent substance use: protocol of a diversity supplement to parent SMART (Substance Misuse in Adolescents in Residential Treatment)

BackgroundIt is well established that an adolescent’s neighborhood is associated with their likelihood of developing a substance use disorder. The availability of drugs, lack of access to resources, and exposure to violence are all associated with greater substance use among young people, leading to more pronounced health inequities. Technology assisted interventions (TAIs) have been touted to enhance the reach of substance use treatment and improve outcomes for high-need families living in underserved neighborhoods. A key question is whether neighborhood characteristics impact the effectiveness of TAIs, given these interventions are embedded within an adolescent’s natural environment. This National Institute on Drug Abuse-funded Diversity Supplement will examine the role of perceived neighborhood characteristics on response to Parent SMART, a TAI for parents of adolescents in residential substance use treatment (R37DA052918; PI: Becker). Aim 1 will use both adolescent and parent self-report of multiple neighborhood dimensions (e.g., physical environment, social disorder, satisfaction with community resources) to identify indicators predictive of treatment response. Aim 2 will then explore the indirect relationship between neighborhood context and response to Parent SMART, via engagement.MethodsParticipants include adolescent and parent dyads enrolled in an effectiveness trial evaluating Parent SMART, a TAI for parents of adolescents in residential substance youth treatment. Participants will complete self-report measures of neighborhood physical environment, social disorder, and satisfaction with community resources at baseline to predict parenting and youth substance outcomes at 6-, 12-, and 24-weeks post discharge.DiscussionTo date, few studies have explicitly tested how neighborhood affects response to TAIs for adolescent substance use. Assessing adolescent and parent perceptions of neighborhood characteristics holds potential to pinpoint key contextual factors that affect TAI response and to promote consideration of multi-level health equity determinants in substance use research. Understanding neighborhood influences can advance public health by helping tailor TAIs to address the unique needs of adolescents living in underserved communities.Trial registrationThis study extends the measurement and analysis plan of a pragmatic effectiveness trial. The pragmatic effectiveness trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05169385; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05169385

Simulation Framework for Substation Siting Integrating Load, Land Use, Neighborhood, and Cost Analysis

This study presents a comprehensive framework for substation siting to address power demand and urbanization challenges. It integrates economic, social, and environmental dimensions to ensure reliable power supply systems. Using simulation techniques, the paper evaluates substation placement by analyzing load distribution, land use, neighborhood satisfaction, and construction costs. The Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) assesses load distribution, while a hierarchical clustering algorithm maximizes land use efficiency. Neighborhood satisfaction is measured using hierarchical analysis and fuzzy logic. Construction costs are optimized via a genetic algorithm. These simulations formulate a multi-criteria decision-making tool, proposing an optimized siting strategy balancing technical, socio-economic, and environmental considerations. The framework enhances the accuracy of substation siting studies and provides practical implementation guidance, offering new insights and refined methodologies for modern power system planning and development.

Neighbourhood Satisfaction Among Municipal Tenants in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area

Neighbourhood Satisfaction Among Municipal Tenants in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area

Gentrification and neighbourhood satisfaction: A study of Philadelphia

Neighbourhood satisfaction is an important facet of life and consideration for policy, as it affects one’s quality of life and well-being, as well as broader residential mobility patterns. While studies have addressed gentrification’s various outcomes, especially residential displacement, few have investigated the relationship between gentrification and neighbourhood satisfaction. Using data from the 2016 Philadelphia Housing and Neighbourhood Survey and mixed-effects logistic regression models, this paper explores the relationship between gentrification and neighbourhood satisfaction, examining how it varies by gentrification type, respondent race, and length of residence. We find that, while gentrification is overall positively associated with neighbourhood satisfaction, its effect on neighbourhood satisfaction is heterogeneous by gentrification type, respondent race, and length of residence. Specifically, when examined by type, only moderate gentrification is positively associated with neighbourhood satisfaction. Hispanic residents and non-Hispanic Black residents are less likely to be satisfied in gentrifying neighbourhoods than in non-gentrifying neighbourhoods. Lastly, gentrification is not significantly associated with neighbourhood satisfaction among long-term residents.

Multi-Family Housing Environment and Physical Activity: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

To identify environmental features of multi-family housing (MFH) and their surrounding neighborhoods that influence residents' physical activity (PA). Articles published between January 2000 and September 2023 were identified from major social science, medical, health, behavioral science, and urban studies databases. Studies were included if they (a) were empirical studies published in peer-reviewed journals and written in English; (b) focused on the MFH environment or the surrounding neighborhood; and (c) had at least one PA outcome. Data was extracted regarding the study objective, location, study sample, research design, results related to MFH and neighborhood environment, and limitations. Descriptive summary of study characteristics and analysis to identify emerging themes at three spatial scales (i.e., building, site, and neighborhood). Findings from 35 identified articles revealed factors influencing MFH residents' PA. On the building level, typology (apartment, townhouse) and tenure (public, market rent) showed contrasting correlations with PA in different age groups. On the site level, the presence of PA facilities and safe, walking-friendly environments promoted PA. On the neighborhood level, safety, quality of PA and pedestrian infrastructure, upkeep, air quality, aesthetics, neighborhood satisfaction, street connectivity, walkability, land use mix, density, and public transport promoted PA. Study findings highlight the importance of the MFH environments in promoting PA, especially in older adults and young children. With increasing housing demand, understanding diverse MFH typologies and the impact of interventions on multi-spatial scales can help promote healthy and activity-friendly communities.

Predictors of male loneliness across life stages: an Australian study of longitudinal data

BackgroundDespite growing recognition of loneliness as a global public health concern, research on its occurrence and precipitants among men across different life stages remains limited and inconclusive. This study aims to address this gap by investigating the prevalence and predictors of loneliness among a large, representative data set of Australian adult men.MethodsThe study used longitudinal data from waves 2–21 of the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey, including men aged 15–98. Estimating linear fixed effects regressions that account for unobserved time-invariant individual heterogeneity, a single-item measure of loneliness was regressed on a set of selected explanatory variables over different parts of the life course.ResultsIncreased social isolation, romantic partnership dissolution, having a long-term disability, and stronger beliefs that the man, rather than the woman, should be the breadwinner of the household, are associated with greater loneliness. Frequent social connection, having a romantic partner, and high neighbourhood satisfaction are protective against loneliness. The findings also reveal several differences in the predictors of loneliness over the life course. Job security is especially important for younger men, whereas for older men volunteering and less conservative gender role attitudes are important factors that can decrease loneliness.ConclusionsThe results emphasise the need to consider age-specific factors and societal expectations in understanding and addressing loneliness amongst men. Additionally, the findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about the impact of societal norms and expectations on men's mental health. The results offer valuable insights for policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers to develop effective strategies and support systems to combat loneliness and promote well-being among men.

Exploring residential relocation– differences between newcomers and settled residents in health, travel behaviour and neighbourhood perceptions

This study explores whether people who have recently moved to an area differ from longer-term residents in their health, travel behaviour, and perceptions of the environment. Using a large, representative sample from the UKHLS, Newcomers demonstrate significantly lower mental and physical health, reduced car commuting, and a higher likelihood of liking their neighbourhood. Area deprivation, urbanicity, household income, and age emerge as influential moderators with i.e. Newcomers in affluent areas experiencing lower physical health than Settled Residents, and rural Newcomers expressing less neighbourhood satisfaction. Our findings highlight that Newcomers' perceptions of their environment diverge and environmental influences vary among population segments, potentially impacting related health behaviours such as active travel. Furthermore, residential relocation introduces Newcomers with distinct characteristics into areas, affecting the context in which potential population health interventions aiming to influence health behaviours operate. This necessitates a deeper understanding of what influences reactions to the environment as well as ongoing adaptation of environmental interventions to respond to changing contexts within the same location over time.

Neighbourhoods still Matter Because Housing Market Actors Believe They Matter

The urban neighbourhood – though increasingly assailed as a problematic spatial construct – still matters in contemporary societies because it is a crucial unit of reference in metropolitan housing markets. The logic is as follows. Key housing market actors – households, owners, developers, and agents – believe that the local area in which they live, own property, or try to sell property influences their own wellbeing for a number of social-psychological and/or economic reasons. Because these people then act on their neighbourhood-related beliefs in a variety of ways, this implies that neighbourhoods are important: they generate collective behavioural responses. Put more succinctly, neighbourhoods must still matter because housing market actors believe they matter and then behave based on these beliefs. Evidence to support this logic is assembled here from a wide variety of interdisciplinary sources. For households, we observe the strong relationship between neighbourhood conditions and satisfaction, housing search, and intra-urban mobility. For property owners and developers, we observe how neighbourhood attributes strongly influence property values and, relatedly, the virulence of NIMBY protests when changes in these a ributes are considered threatening. For housing agents, we see continued evidence of discriminatory exclusion and geographic steering on the basis of neighbourhood racial/ethnic and income composition.

How Do Neighborhood Attributes Relate to Life Satisfaction and Neighborhood Satisfaction Differently?

Neighborhood attributes may have different relationships with neighborhood satisfaction and life satisfaction. However, few studies have compared linkages between the neighborhood environment and these two satisfaction outcomes. This study fills this gap by illustrating how the same neighborhood attributes relate to neighborhood satisfaction and life satisfaction differently. Results indicate that the neighborhood environment has a stronger association with neighborhood satisfaction than with life satisfaction. Moreover, attributes pertinent to neighborhood appearance and basic features have the strongest connection with neighborhood satisfaction, whereas attributes regarding leisure activities and social cohesion show more substantial correlations with life satisfaction than other neighborhood attributes.

Social impacts of living in high-rise apartment buildings: The effects of buildings and neighborhoods

ABSTRACT Social networks, social cohesion, and place attachment are positive social impacts that can stimulate people’s quality of life. High-rise apartment buildings are often criticized for their negative social impacts, such as social isolation and low levels of interaction and social cohesion. However, there is still insufficient empirical evidence on the relationships between neighborhood social networks, social cohesion, place attachment, and loneliness of high-rise apartment residents and how they are affected by the physical environment and neighborhood satisfaction. This study uses structural equation modeling (SEM) to investigate these relationships using data collected in four high-rise apartment complexes in Hanoi, Vietnam. While the number of neighbors in someone’s social network is found to stimulate social cohesion, which can foster neighborhood attachment and reduce feelings of loneliness, the possibility of improving these social impacts is affected by urban contexts, site properties, and the ability to provide communal spaces within and surrounding the buildings.

Ethnic diversity and homeownership

AbstractWe examine the impact of neighbourhood ethnic diversity on homeownership using 19 waves of household panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. We find that ethnic diversity is associated with a lower probability of homeownership. Specifically, a movement from complete ethnic homogeneity to complete heterogeneity is associated with up to a 31.3 percentage point decrease in the probability of homeownership. Our results also show that trust, neighbourhood satisfaction and belongingness, which are lower in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods, are important channels through which ethnic diversity operates to reduce the probability of homeownership. We suggest policies to promote trust in multicultural societies with high levels of ethnic diversity with a view to addressing the negative relationship between ethnic diversity and homeownership.

Relationship Between Revenue-based Urban Density Policy and Neighbourhood Satisfaction: Case of Tabriz, Iran

Cities are facing with rising needs and financial constraints worldwide. In such a situation, zoning regulations (land-based financing policies) are often considered as a potential policy tools to increase density to finance a diverse range of public infrastructures by local governments. Based on a questionnaire survey conducted with 384 participants from the neighbourhood residents and in-person site visit in Tabriz, Iran, this article investigates the relationship between revenue-based density selling policy implementation and neighbourhood satisfaction and urban resilience. The findings demonstrated that there is significant alignment among residential dissatisfaction about implementation of ‘density selling’ policy. All examined qualitative indicators represented lower level of the residents’ satisfaction with the new situation. Urban densification policies through the selling floor area ratio (FAR) permission have brought negative consequences in the physical and social dimensions. The findings also revealed the high level of residents’ awareness and their concerns about natural hazards. The findings can be valuable to give decision makers and city managers a better understanding of the consequences of using revenue-based urban development.

Urban versus rural disparities in amenity proximity and housing price: the case of integrated urban–rural city, Sejong, South Korea

Due to the growing importance of accessibility to urban amenities on quality of life and neighborhood satisfaction in South Korea, various efforts have been made to improve accessibility to urban amenities by establishing a minimum standard, an approach called Living Social Overhead Capital (Living SOC); for example, one such standards states that an elementary school should be reachable within a 15-min walk. However, these endeavors have not yet resulted in an equal distribution of Living SOC in urban and rural areas. Many residents feel the disparity of Living SOC is greatest in areas where the rural city was incorporated into an adjacent urban city—often called an integrated urban–rural city—or when new towns were developed in rural cities. This situation can lead to the creation of dissimilar landscapes and infrastructure within a single city. As such, this research observes how the resultant disparity in proximity between urban and rural areas impacts neighborhood satisfaction, as reflected in housing prices. The outcomes indicate that, with the exception of senior care and education, all observed amenities were found to be located closer to residences in urban areas. Additionally, the closer the Living SOC, the higher the housing prices. The findings of this study posit an urgent need for a comprehensive Living SOC plan for entire cities, not only for newly developed areas, to avoid widening the existing gap between urban and rural Living SOC.

A systematic review on the relationship between the built environment and children’s quality of life

BackgroundEvidence of the effects of the built environment on children has mainly focused on disease outcomes; however, quality of life (QoL) has gained increasing attention as an important health and policy endpoint itself. Research on built environment effects on children’s QoL could inform public health programs and urban planning and design.ObjectiveWe aimed to review and synthesize the evidence of the relationship between built environment features and children’s QoL.MethodsFive research databases were searched for quantitative peer-reviewed studies on children between 2 and 18 years, published in English or German between January 2010 and August 2023. Only primary research was considered. Included studies (n = 17) were coded and methodologically assessed with the Joanna Briggs Critical Appraisal Checklists, and relevant data were extracted, analyzed, and synthesized, using the following built environment framework: (1) neighborhood green and blue space, (2) neighborhood infrastructure, and (3) neighborhood perception.ResultsGreen space was positively associated with children’s QoL. Infrastructure yielded inconclusive results across all measured aspects. Overall neighborhood satisfaction was positively correlated with higher QoL but results on perceived environmental safety were mixed.ConclusionsMost studies are correlational, making it difficult to infer causality. While the positive findings of green space on QoL are consistent, specific features of the built environment show inconsistent results. Overall perception of the built environment, such as neighborhood satisfaction, also shows more robust results compared to perceptions of specific features of the built environment. Due to the heterogeneity of both built environment and QoL measures, consistent measures of both concepts will help advance this area of research.

What is the Relationship Between the Perceived Quality of Neighbourhood and the Self-reported Life Satisfaction in Immigrants Versus Natives in Europe?

Subjective well-being (SWB) is emerging as an important measure of individual and societal progress. Among the many individual factors associated with SWB, the quality of the neighbourhood is recently receiving growing attention as a factor shaping self-reported life satisfaction in contemporary societies. However, to the best of our knowledge, studies focusing on the perceived quality of the neighbourhood are still scant. We aim to fill this gap, comparing self-reported life satisfaction of different population groups (i.e., immigrants and natives) living in European countries, and to analyse the association between self-reported life satisfaction and the perceived quality of the neighbourhood, controlling for individual socio-demographic and human capital variables and socio-economic characteristics of the country of residence. The data are drawn from the cross-sectional European Quality of Life Survey (EQLS) of 2016. Our findings reveal that first and second-generation immigrants report lower self-reported life satisfaction compared to natives. Moreover, our findings show that the positive subjective evaluation of the characteristics and services available in the immediate neighbourhood where people live is positively associated with self-reported life satisfaction. There is also a positive relationship between contacts and social networks in the neighbourhood and self-reported life satisfaction. Finally, the characteristics of the country of residence matter for both native and immigrants’ life satisfaction, with immigrants being more satisfied in countries with higher quality of life captured by country gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, life expectancy and unemployment rate.

How do urban parks, neighborhood open spaces, and private gardens relate to individuals’ subjective well-being: Results of a structural equation model

As urban areas become more densely populated worldwide, the allocation of limited urban green infrastructure to promote well-being among users is becoming increasingly challenging. This study aims to understand the relationships of three types of urban green infrastructure (urban parks, neighborhood green open spaces and private gardens) with subjective well-being (SWB). We construct a structural equation model to examine these relationships in an integrated fashion. We consider both direct and indirect effects of green spaces on SWB. Data were collected through an online questionnaire involving a sample of 322 individuals in the Netherlands. Results indicate that the direct relationship between neighborhood green satisfaction and SWB is positive and stronger than the relationship between satisfaction with urban parks and SWB. Private garden size has an indirect positive effect on SWB mediated by neighborhood green satisfaction. Interestingly, an individual with higher satisfaction with green tends to have higher SWB independently of the frequency of using the green space. Overall, our method and results bring new insights to optimize urban green space planning to enhance users’ SWB.

Neighborhood satisfaction in large housing estates of Central and East European cities: insights from Novi Sad, Serbia

Neighborhood satisfaction in large housing estates of Central and East European cities: insights from Novi Sad, Serbia

Community Investments and Diet-Related Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study of Residents of Two Urban Neighborhoods

Investments in historically oppressed neighborhoods through food retail, housing, and commercial development are hypothesized to improve residents' health, nutrition, and perceptions of their neighborhood as a place to live. Although place-based development (e.g., housing, retail, business assistance) is happening in many communities, there is little evidence of the long-term correlates of multiple investments such as health and nutrition among residents. A quasi-experimental longitudinal study was conducted using a cohort of randomly sampled households in two low-income, predominantly African American neighborhoods in Pittsburgh, PA, with surveys assessing residents' food insecurity, perception of their neighborhood as a place to live, perception of access to healthy foods, and dietary outcomes in 2011 and seven years later (2018), with an interim assessment in 2014. Analyses conducted in 2022 compared changes among residents of one neighborhood which had 2.6 times the investments over a 7-year period with changes among residents of a socio-demographically similar neighborhood that received fewer investments. It was found that residents in the neighborhood receiving substantial investments demonstrated statistically significant improvements in neighborhood satisfaction (12.6% improvement compared with a 2.2% decrease) and perceived access to healthy food (52% improvement compared with 18.2% improvement), and marginally significant change in food security (14% compared with 4.8% improvement) compared with residents in the neighborhood receiving fewer investments. Multiple place-based investments in neighborhoods can potentially induce positive change for residents in health and nutrition outcomes.