NEIGHBORHOOD COHESION’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING PERCEIVED MASTERY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS - Abstract citation ID igaf122.2462

Q: What is the main research question of this study?

Whether neighborhood cohesion supports older adults’ perceived mastery and, through that mechanism, influences self-rated health and life satisfaction.

Q: How was the study conducted?

Using 2018 Health and Retirement Study data (N=2,279), the authors ran multiple mediation analyses with PROCESS Macro Model 6.

Q: What mediation pathways were found to be significant?

The primary pathway is Neighborhood Cohesion → Perceived Mastery → Life Satisfaction, with a significant indirect effect; a secondary pathway also significantly contributes via Perceived Mastery → Self-Rated Health → Life Satisfaction.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Genevieve

Neighborhood cohesion relates to older adults’ health through psychological and behavioral well-being. This study tests how neighborhood cohesion supports perceived mastery using a relational autonomy perspective. It examines whether perceived mastery and self-rated health mediate the association between neighborhood cohesion and life satisfaction. Data come from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS, N=2,279) analyzed via multiple mediation (PROCESS Macro Model 6). Results show a main pathway via perceived mastery and self-rated health, with significant indirect effects, linking socially cohesive neighborhoods to improved resilience and well-being.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Study purpose and framework

Data and mediation approach

Key findings and mediation pathways

Implications for older adults

Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 723 Abstract citation ID: igaf122.2462 NEIGHBORHOOD COHESION’S ROLE IN SUPPORTING PERCEIVED MASTERY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IN OLDER ADULTS Inhye Jung, and Hyo Jung Lee, Yonsei University, Seoul, Republic of Korea Neighborhood cohesion has been linked to the health of older adults by influencing psychological and behavioral well-being. This study examines the role of neighborhood cohesion in older adults’ health, with a particular focus on its support for perceived mastery from a relational autonomy perspective. Specifically, it investigates whether perceived mastery and self-rated health mediate the relationship between neighborhood cohesion and life satisfaction in older adults. Using data from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) (N = 2,279), we conducted multiple mediation analyses with PROCESS Macro Model 6 to assess the mediating roles of psychological and health-related factors in this relationship. The findings reveal that higher neighborhood social cohesion is significantly associated with greater perceived mastery (b = 0.104, p < .001), which, in turn, is linked to better self-rated health (b = 0.1172, p < .001) and higher life satisfaction (b = 0.3142, p < .001) . The primary mediation pathway (Neighborhood Cohesion → Perceived Mastery → Life Satisfaction) shows a significant indirect effect (b = 0.0327, 95% CI [0.0187, 0.0478]). Additionally, a secondary but significant mediation pathway (Neighborhood Cohesion → Perceived 724 Innovation in Aging, 2025, Vol. 9, No. S2 Mastery → Self-Rated Health → Life Satisfaction) further contributes to the overall effect (b = 0 .0022, 95% CI [0 .0011, 0.0037]). The total indirect effect of neighborhood cohesion on life satisfaction is also significant (b = 0.0403, 95% CI [0.0248, 0.0569]) . These results highlight the importance of fostering socially cohesive neighborhoods to enhance psychological resilience, health, and overall life satisfaction among older adults.

FAQs

What is the main research question of this study?

Whether neighborhood cohesion supports older adults’ perceived mastery and, through that mechanism, influences self-rated health and life satisfaction.

How was the study conducted?

Using 2018 Health and Retirement Study data (N=2,279), the authors ran multiple mediation analyses with PROCESS Macro Model 6.

What mediation pathways were found to be significant?

The primary pathway is Neighborhood Cohesion → Perceived Mastery → Life Satisfaction, with a significant indirect effect; a secondary pathway also significantly contributes via Perceived Mastery → Self-Rated Health → Life Satisfaction.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by Genevieve