Neighborhood Attributes Associated With the Social Environment

Purpose: To examine the association between specific attributes of neighborhood environments and four social environment measures.

Design: Data were collected as part of a baseline survey among participants enrolling in a walking intervention.

Setting: Participants were recruited from a metropolitan area in a Southeastern state.

Subjects: Participants (n = 294) were predominantly African-American (67%) and female (86%), with some college education (79%) and a mean age of 49.

Measures: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire Environment Module assessed perceptions about neighborhood attributes. The social environment was assessed using three distinct scales: social cohesion, social interactions with neighbors, and social support for physical activity from family and friends.

Analysis: Multiple regression models examined associations between neighborhood attributes and social environment measures, adjusting for demographic variables.

Results: Having walkable destinations and having access to amenities and transit stops were associated with increased interactions with neighbors (b = 1.32, 1.04, and 1.68, respectively, p < .05). Attributes related to structural support for physical activity (sidewalks, street connectivity, recreation facilities) were associated with increased interactions with neighbors (b = 1.47, 1.34, and 1.13, respectively, p < .05). Bicycling facilities that were maintained (i.e., bike lanes, racks) were associated with social support for physical activity from family and friends (b = .43 and .30, respectively, p < .05).

Conclusion: The study highlights key attributes of neighborhood environments that may be associated with the social context of such settings.