Social Engagement and Sense of Community Among Older Adults: The Role of Socioeconomic Status and Race

TL;DR

This study explores how social engagement affects older adults' sense of community, finding that the impact varies by race and socioeconomic status.

Contribution

The study reveals that the positive effect of social engagement on sense of community is weaker for Black, Hispanic, and lower-income older adults.

Findings

Social engagement positively affects sense of community for White and higher-income older adults.

The relationship between social engagement and sense of community is weaker for Black, Hispanic, and lower-income older adults.

Diverse communities face challenges in fostering a strong sense of community due to socioeconomic and racial differences.

Abstract

Previous research suggests that as levels of neighborhood socioeconomic and racial heterogeneity increase, rates of social engagement and sense of community (SOC) often decrease, but the extent to which this trend persists for older adults in socioeconomically and racially diverse communities remains unclear. This study estimated the relationship of engagement in social activities with SOC and its components among Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and White older adults. Participants included 204 older adults aged 60 years or older. Social engagement was assessed with eight questions, and the Brief Sense of Community Scale (BSCS) was used to assess total SOC and components of SOC (e.g., need fulfillment, group membership, influence, and emotional connection). Results were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis and hierarchical linear regression. Engagement in social activities had a positive effect on SOC, but this relationship varied by socioeconomic and racial group. Specifically, engagement in social activities had a positive relationship with SOC for White and higher socioeconomic level older adults, but the strength of this relationship attenuated considerably for Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, and lower socioeconomic level older adults. While these findings validate the importance of engagement in social activities for increasing SOC in older adults, the effect observed for neighborhood socioeconomic and racial heterogeneity poses challenges for SOC in diverse neighborhoods and communities, reinforcing enduring tensions between community cohesion and diversity.