Longitudinal associations between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms of older adults in Hong Kong: The moderating effects of terrain slope and declining functional abilities

Little is known about the accumulative impacts of neighbourhood physical environments on older adults’ depressive symptoms over time. Based on a cohort study of 2081 older adults in Hong Kong, this study examined longitudinal relationships between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms among older adults, with a particular focus on the moderating effects of terrain slope and individual functional ability using latent growth curve modelling. Results indicated that the availability of community centres and passive leisure facilities reduced depressive symptoms over time. The protective effects of residential surrounding greenness on depressive symptoms among older adults differed by the terrain slope types. Longitudinal associations between neighbourhood physical environments and depressive symptoms varied between older adults with and without functional limitations. This study has implications for the Ecological Theory of Ageing by identifying the dynamic interplay of environment demands and individual functional ability. Planning policies for building age-friendly neighbourhoods are discussed.