Associations between social support provided and walkability among older adults: Health self-consciousness as a moderator.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The social support provided or given to others play a key role in healthy ageing. Empirical and anecdotal evidence suggests that walkable neighbourhoods can positively influence social support given. Higher health self-consciousness may strengthen the positive association between walkability and social support provided. AIM: This study investigated whether the association between walkability and social support provided is moderated by health self-consciousness. METHODS: A cross-sectional design with sensitivity analysis and recommended procedures against common methods bias was employed. The study's population was community-dwelling older adults living in Accra, Ghana. Data from 923 participants were analysed using the hierarchical linear regression analysis. FINDINGS: The study found a positive association between walkability and social support provided after adjusting for the ultimate confounding variables. Health self-consciousness positively moderated the association between walkability and social support provided. CONCLUSION: The study concludes that social support provided in older adults may be higher in more walkable neighbourhoods. Health self-consciousness can enhance the contribution of walkability to social support provided. Our results reinforce the importance of campaigns aimed at improving walkability of neighbourhoods.