Mediators of neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation and quality of life

Abstract

Objective: We examined associations between neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation and health-related quality of life, and estimated the mediating effects of individual-level lifestyle, housing, and perception of the neighbourhood environment.

Methods: Two different data sources were used: 1) neighbourhood- level objective socioeconomic indicators, and 2) individual-level questionnaires from a community survey (response rate: 48%) to assess quality of life, neighbourhood perceptions, housing variables, and lifestyle. Multilevel analyses were conducted using both neighbourhood-level and individual-level data.

Results: Neighbourhood-level socioeconomic deprivation was associated with two aspects of individual-level quality of life: mental health and perceived health. Individual-level neighbourhood perceptions regarding social cohesion mediated these associations. Lifestyle also had mediating effects.

Conclusion: Neighbourhood socioeconomic deprivation variables may impact on the individual through cognitive mechanisms that are associated with appraisal of the wider social environment.