Distinguishing between self-control and perceived control over the environment to understand disadvantaged neighbourhood health and lifestyle outcomes

Objective: The current study aimed to test whether and how self-control and perceived control play a role in health outcomes and lifestyle differences between disadvantaged and non-disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

Design: Cross-sectional survey data including demographics was collected from 3758 participants. Main outcome measures: With the survey, self-control, perceived control, health status and lifestyle variables were assessed.

Results: Participants in disadvantaged neighbourhoods reported poorer general health, as well as unhealthier lifestyles compared to participants in non-disadvantaged neighbourhoods. Self-control was likewise positively associated with health and lifestyle variables. However, self-control did not differ between participants from different neighbourhoods. Perceived control over the environment mediated between type of neighbourhood and health, with participants from a disadvantaged neighbourhood reporting a lower sense of perceived control, which in turn was associated with poorer self-reported general health and less healthy lifestyle choices.

Conclusion: This reveals that perceived control over one’s life and the environment is more important than self-control when explaining health differences between neighbourhoods.