Interplay of Neighborhood and Psychosocial Factors in Predicting Trajectories of Allostatic Load Among Latinx Adults in the United States

Abstract

Research highlights the independent roles of neighborhood and psychosocial risk and protective factors for accelerated physiological aging. However, the combined role of neighborhood and psychosocial factors for allostatic load among Latinx adults in the U.S. remains unclear. Informed by the Health Disparities Framework, the study aims are to: (1) examine the direct associations between neighborhood (cohesion and disorder) and psychosocial (loneliness) factors, respectively, and allostatic load trajectories; and (2) determine whether family social support moderates the association between loneliness and allostatic load trajectories. Data for Latinx adults ages ≥50 (n = 319) are from the Health and Retirement Study (waves 2006–2016). Linear mixed models estimated baseline and rate of change in allostatic load, adjusting for sociodemographics. Loneliness was positively associated with baseline allostatic load. This association persisted when we considered neighborhood factors. Family social support moderated the association between loneliness and allostatic load slope. As neighborhood features, loneliness, and physiological dysregulation are each associated with worse cognitive outcomes, findings underscore the protective role of family social support for physiological dysregulation, thereby promoting cognitive resilience.