Neighborhood built environment and loneliness dynamics among older Chinese immigrants in the United States

Objectives This study investigates the associations between built environment characteristics and changes in loneliness over time among older Chinese immigrants, as well as the potential mediating roles of social factors. Methods Data were drawn from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in Chicago (PINE, 2011–2020), involving 2,550 participants residing in 170 Census tracts who provided repeated measures of loneliness. Neighborhood-level data were obtained from the National Neighborhood Data Archive (NaNDA) and the American Community Survey (ACS). Built environment measures captured walkability, presence of amenities, open spaces, and public transit. Potential mediators were assessed at baseline, including social networks, perceived social support, social engagement, and sense of community. Latent growth curve zero-inflated Poisson models were used to assess longitudinal associations between the built environment and loneliness. Results Participants reported low baseline loneliness, with a significant decline over time. Longer block lengths were associated with higher initial loneliness (B = 0.005, p = 0.046). More public transit stops were linked to lower initial loneliness (B = -0.003, p = 0.005) but also a slower rate of decline (B = 0.001, p = 0.009). No significant mediation effects were found for social networks, social support, social engagement, or sense of community, possibly driven by the nonsignificant relationships between these mediators and loneliness. Discussion Findings underscore the nuanced role of walkability and transit access in shaping loneliness among older Chinese immigrants. Addressing loneliness in aging immigrant populations requires multi-level strategies, including inclusive urban design, enhanced social infrastructure, and culturally responsive community engagement.