Author ORCID Identifier

https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8696-9944

Date of Award

8-31-2026

Document Type

Open Access Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Gerontology

First Advisor

Jaqueline Contrera Avila

Second Advisor

Jeffrey E. Stokes

Third Advisor

Kenzie Latham-Mintus

Abstract

Social isolation is a major public health concern among older adults, yet less is known about how multilevel residential environments shape isolation among those aging in place. Guided by the Socio-Ecological Model, Person–Environment Fit, and a life-course perspective, this dissertation examined whether micro-level home hazards, meso-level neighborhood social cohesion and physical disorder, and macro-level census-tract structural conditions were associated with social isolation. It also examined whether life-course socioeconomic mobility moderated the associations between home and neighborhood environments and social isolation.

This dissertation used two nationally representative longitudinal studies of U.S. older adults. Aims 1 and 2 used the National Health and Aging Trends Study from 2015 to 2021. A Aim 1 examined home hazards and neighborhood environments, while Aim 2 extended Aim 1 by adding tract-level indicators measured through eight macro-level domains and a global residential environment index. Aim 3 used the Health and Retirement Study from 2012 to 2022 to examine the moderating role of life-course mobility, including persistently high SES, persistently low SES, upward mobility, and downward mobility. Across all aims, mixed-effects logistic regression models estimated associations with social isolation at baseline and over time, adjusting for sociodemographic, health-related, and geographic covariates.

Greater home hazards were associated with higher odds of social isolation at baseline, although their longitudinal association was less consistent. Higher social cohesion was associated with lower odds of social isolation at baseline and over time. Physical disorder was associated with higher odds of social isolation at baseline only. Macro-level tract conditions were associated with social isolation at baseline only. Downward mobility was associated with higher odds of social isolation at baseline, and social cohesion was especially protective for older adults with persistently low SES at baseline and over time.

Findings indicate that social isolation in later life is shaped by multilevel residential environments, extending beyond individual and interpersonal factors. Prevention efforts should move beyond screening and referral alone because opportunities for social connection may be constrained when housing conditions, neighborhood ties, transportation access, and community infrastructure are limited. Addressing these environmental barriers is critical for reducing social isolation and supporting older adults’ ability to age in place while remaining socially connected.

Comments

Free and open access to this work is made available to the UMass Boston community by ScholarWorks at UMass Boston. Those not on campus and those without a UMass Boston campus username and password may gain access to this work through Interlibrary Loan. If you have a UMass Boston campus username and password and would like to download this work from off-campus, click on the “Off-Campus Users” button.

Download

Share

COinS