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Neighborhood perceptions and allostatic load: Evidence from Denmark
Ioana van Deurzen1, Naja Hulvej Rod2, Ulla Christensen2
1Tilburg University, Sociology Department, PO Box 90153, 5000 LE Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Health & Place
|May 9, 2016
Summary
Perceiving neighborhoods as threatening can harm health through chronic stress. This study links perceived neighborhood disorder and pollution to higher allostatic load (AL), a measure of physiological stress, especially in women.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Psychology
- Public Health
- Sociology
Background:
- Neighborhood characteristics can impact resident health.
- Perceived neighborhood threats may induce chronic stress.
- Allostatic load (AL) measures physiological stress responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between subjective neighborhood perceptions and objective physiological stress (AL).
- To test the chronic stress mechanism linking neighborhood quality to health.
- To explore the roles of objective environmental factors and socioeconomic status.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a large dataset of 5280 Danish respondents.
- Assessed subjective perceptions of neighborhood characteristics.
- Measured allostatic load (AL) as an objective indicator of physiological functioning.
Main Results:
- Heightened perceptions of neighborhood disorder and pollution were significantly associated with higher AL.
- This association was particularly pronounced in women.
- The link between perceived neighborhood quality and health was supported, independent of objective factors and socioeconomic status.
Conclusions:
- Subjective perceptions of neighborhood environments play a crucial role in physiological stress.
- Chronic stress induced by perceived neighborhood threats contributes to health disparities.
- Future interventions should consider residents' perceptions of their environment.
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