The Subjective Wellbeing in Low-Income Neighborhoods: Social Environment influences on Social Wellbeing in Adults Population

Social wellbeing has great impact on physical and social health, as well as, promoting environmental justice in local communities. Despite several studies on the concept of social wellbeing in relation to social environment, the majority of these works have been conducted in developed countries. The study aimed to investigate the association of social environment aspects (safety, social participation, social network, and social cohesion) with social wellbeing in low-economic neighborhoods in an Iranian adult population. Since many of the old textures of cities have the problem of low-income, poverty and poor conditions, the aim of this study was to improve the situation of low-income and poor neighborhoods in wellbeing. A total of 1100 questionnaires systematically were distributed among adults population residing in 4 low-income neighborhoods of Bandar Abbas city, Iran. Of these 924 qualified questionnaires were used for further analysis. Despite the low economic conditions, social wellbeing were reported high. In addition, women reported higher social wellbeing than men. Women were socially more active than men, however were perceived less safe compared to their counterparts. All aspects of social variables positively contributed with social wellbeing among men, while in women group no link between safety and social wellbeing were determined. Findings suggest that programming efforts and research should focus on increasing social activities that support social participation and social cohesion to promote social wellbeing among residents. Designing and implementing effective intervention to improve inviting spaces to do small and large social activities can help in rising social wellbeing in low-income neighbourhoods.