Subjective well-being of people with disability in Tasmania: Exploring the role of neighborhood environments, socioeconomic, and housing circumstances

Despite recent legislative and policy reforms, people with disability in Australia and globally remain disproportionately affected by inequalities in the social determinants of health. Neighborhoods are recognized as important settings for addressing the social determinants through the livability model of urban planning. However, people with disability remain underrepresented in research investigating livable and health-promoting neighborhoods. This study investigates how neighborhood satisfaction and social determinants intersect with subjective well-being among people with disability in Tasmania, one of Australia’s most socioeconomically disadvantaged states. A cross-sectional survey employing convenience sampling was developed in consultation with Tasmanians with disability. The survey incorporated the Personal Wellbeing Index, a validated measure of subjective well-being. The survey was completed by 103 participants across regions, age groups, and disability experiences. Findings revealed lower well-being compared to the national average, with unstable employment and housing insecurity more prevalent among those reporting lower well-being. Neighborhood satisfaction was lowest for “Footpaths and Pathways” and “Transport” signifying barriers to wider neighborhood access, while “Social and Community Life” showed the greatest disparity between well-being groups. These results highlight the need for inclusive urban planning and policies that enhance housing stability and agency in neighborhood choice to improve quality of life for people with disability.