Neighborhood Influences on Mental Health among Hong Kong Elderly

This study investigates the association between various aspects of neighborhood and depression among Hong Kong elderly with a focus on neighborhood elderly services, a modifiable factor with policy implications. Using two waves of data from the Hong Kong Panel Study of Social Dynamics (HKPSSD), it reveals that elderly facilities aiming to encourage social participation and personal interaction are significantly related to reduced depressive symptoms. The positive impact of such elderly facilities is stronger among the disadvantaged older population living in low-SES neighborhoods. The result suggests that the concept of the neighborhood can be applied to Hong Kong, an ultra-dense Chinese metropolis.