Publication date: Available online 28 December 2019
Source: Health & Place
Author(s): Joan Domènech-Abella, Jordi Mundó, Matilde Leonardi, Somnath Chatterji, Beata Tobiasz-Adamczyk, Seppo Koskinen, Jose Luis Ayuso-Mateos, Josep Maria Haro, Beatriz Olaya
Abstract
Depression and loneliness act in a synergistic way among older adults. We tested two indicators of the perceived neighborhood built environment (BE) as moderators of the association between these conditions in older European adults. Positive perceptions of neighborhood BE were related to lower levels of loneliness but not to major depressive disorder (MDD). Reporting low BE usability was significantly related to a higher likelihood of feeling lonely except for those suffering from MDD, whereas reporting low BE walkability was significantly related with a high likelihood of loneliness particularly among those with MDD. Therefore, improving neighborhood BE and, specifically, its walkability, might result in a reduction in the prevalence of loneliness.