Home and neighborhood environmental correlates of civic participation among community-dwelling older adults in Canada

Abstract

Productive aging research has thoroughly documented that civic participation is associated with health and psychological well-being among older adults living in the community. Promoting late-life civic participation is beneficial for older adults and communities. Empirical studies on correlates of civic participation have mostly focused on psychosocial factors. Few studies have investigated the relationship of home and neighborhood environmental factors with civic participation among older adults from diverse backgrounds. Based on the 2018 Canadian Housing Survey, this study examined the associations between home and neighborhood environmental factors and civic participation in terms of civic engagement in organizations and volunteering among older Canadians and whether the associations differed by dwelling types (house vs. apartment) and gender. Regression results illuminated important factors of civic participation associated with home and neighborhood contexts. Uninhabitable home conditions were associated with increased odds of civic engagement among older men and women residing in houses and older men residing in apartments. For older women living in apartments, home maintenance needs were related to a higher likelihood of civic engagement. In terms of neighborhood context, community safety was associated with greater likelihood of volunteerism among all groups. In addition, neighborhood problems (noise, garbage, pollution, racism) and sense of belonging to the community were common correlates of civic engagement and volunteerism for all. This study indicates the importance of considering home and neighborhood environmental factors in civic participation research.