TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2009//
TI  - The Relationship of Neighborhood Climate to Perceived Social Support and Mental Health in Older Hispanic Immigrants in Miami, Florida
JO  - Journal of aging and health
A1  - Brown, Scott C.
A1  - Mason, C. A.
A1  - Spokane, Arnold R.
A1  - Cruza-Guet, Maria Cristina
A1  - Lopez, Barbara
A1  - Szapocznik, J.
SP  - 431
EP  - 459
VL  - 21
IS  - 3
N2  - Objective: This study examines the relationship of neighborhood climate (i.e., neighborhood social environment) to perceived social support and mental health outcomes in older Hispanic immigrants. Method: A population-based sample of 273 community-dwelling older Hispanic immigrants (aged 70 to 100) in Miami, Florida, completed self-report measures of neighborhood climate, social support, and psychological distress and performance-based measures of cognitive functioning. Structural equation modeling was used to model the relationship of neighborhood climate to elders' perceived social support and mental health outcomes (i.e., cognitive functioning, psychological distress). Results: Neighborhood climate had a significant direct relationship to cognitive functioning, after controlling for demographics. By contrast, neighborhood climate had a significant indirect relationship to psychological distress, through its relationship to perceived social support. Moreover, social support mediated the relationship between neighborhood climate and psychological distress. Discussion: Findings suggest that a more positive neighborhood social environment may be associated with better mental health outcomes in urban, older Hispanic immigrants.<p /> 
LA  - 
SN  - 0898-2643
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0898264308328976
ID  - ref1
ER  -