Social embeddedness as a mechanism for linking social cohesion to well-being among older adults: moderating effect of gender

Figures & data

Figure 1 The proposed theoretical model linking social cohesion and well-being.

Note: According to this model, a cohesive neighborhood may induce more supportive interpersonal connections, which provide tangible and emotional support that consequently contribute to higher levels of well-being.

Table 1 Means, standard deviations, and zero-order correlations between study variables

Variable	1	2	3	4	5
1) Social cohesion
2) Social embeddedness	0.240**
3) Tangible support	0.164**	0.160**
4) Emotional support	0.265**	0.293**	0.403**
5) Well-being	0.242**	0.253**	0.209**	0.296**
Mean (SD)	21.53 (3.78)	12.27 (7.15)	12.09 (3.50)	11.25 (3.26)	59.77 (23.51)

Note:

** P<0.01.

Abbreviation: SD, standard deviation.

Table 2 The results of SEM

Path	Estimate	SE	CR	Beta	Effect		Bounds (BC)
					Total	Indirect	Lower	Upper
Social cohesion → social embeddedness	3.30	0.32	10.46***	0.27	0.27
Social embeddedness → tangible support	0.08	0.01	7.01***	0.16	0.16
Social embeddedness → emotional support	0.13	0.01	13.30***	0.29	0.29
Tangible support → well-being	0.03	0.01	4.37***	0.11	0.11
Social embeddedness → well-being	0.02	0.00	5.98***	0.15	0.22	0.07	0.058	0.092
Social cohesion → well-being	0.28	0.04	6.64***	0.17	0.23	0.06	0.043	0.078
Emotional support → well-being	0.06	0.01	7.31***	0.19	0.19

Note:

*** P<0.001.

Abbreviations: SEM, structural equation modeling; SE, standard error; CR, critical ratio; BC, bias-corrected confidence interval.

Table 3 Summary of multigroup analysis

Path	Male				Female				Δλ^2/dfa
	Estimate	SE	CR	Beta	Estimate	SE	CR	Beta
Social cohesion → social embeddedness	3.51	0.49	7.17***	0.27	2.95	0.40	7.33***	0.25	54.13***
Social embeddedness → tangible support	0.08	0.02	5.20***	0.17	0.06	0.02	4.07***	0.13	2880.92***
Social embeddedness → emotional support	0.14	0.02	9.31***	0.3	0.12	0.01	8.92***	0.27	2991.53***
Tangible support → well-being	0.04	0.01	4.25***	0.16	0.02	0.01	1.65†	0.06	3676.90***
Social embeddedness → well-being	0.02	0.01	3.45***	0.12	0.02	0.01	4.07***	0.14	1996.76***
Social cohesion → well-being	0.36	0.07	5.49***	0.22	0.22	0.06	3.85***	0.14	161.69***
Emotional support → well-being	0.05	0.01	4.41***	0.17	0.06	0.01	5.72***	0.20	3216.78***

Notes:

a Chi-square and degree of freedom values for corresponding constrained relationship.

*** P<0.001.

† P<0.1.

Abbreviations: SE, standard error; CR, critical ratio.

Figure 2 SEM model with standardized regression weights.

Notes: CMIN/DF =5.755; RMSEA =0.050; PCLOSE =0.452; GFI =0.975; AGFI =0.958; CFI =0.981; TLI =0.973.
Abbreviations: SEM, structural equation modeling; SC, social cohesion; SE, social embeddedness; WB, well-being; CMIN/DF, minimum discrepancy divided by degrees of freedom; RMSEA, root mean square error of approximation; PCLOSE, p-value for test of close fit; GFI, goodness of fit index; AGFI, adjusted goodness of fit index; CFI, comparative fix index; TLI, Tucker-Lewis coefficient.

Figure 3 SEM model with standardized regression weights for male respondents.

Notes: CMIN/DF =3.548; RMSEA =0.037; PCLOSE =1.000; GFI =0.970; AGFI =0.949; CFI =0.980; TLI =0.970.

Abbreviations: SEM, structural equation modeling; SC, social cohesion; SE, social embeddedness; WB, well-being; CMIN/DF, minimum discrepancy divided by degrees of freedom; RMSEA, root mean square error of approximation; PCLOSE, p-value for test of close fit; GFI, goodness of fit index; AGFI, adjusted goodness of fit index; CFI, comparative fix index; TLI, Tucker-Lewis coefficient.

Figure 4 SEM model with standardized regression weights for female respondents.

Notes: CMIN/DF =3.548; RMSEA =0.037; PCLOSE =1.000; GFI =0.970; AGFI =0.949; CFI =0.980; TLI =0.970.
Abbreviations: SEM, structural equation modeling; SC, social cohesion; SE, social embeddedness; WB, well-being; CMIN/DF, minimum discrepancy divided by degrees of freedom; RMSEA, root mean square error of approximation; PCLOSE, p-value for test of close fit; GFI, goodness of fit index; AGFI, adjusted goodness of fit index; CFI, comparative fix index; TLI, Tucker-Lewis coefficient.