4.1 Relationship between stress and social capital among PSMHCR residents
Table V shows the stress factors of PSMHCRs due to an ordered logit analysis of the total model. The analysis of 1,355 samples revealed that social capital and housing prices, which are social characteristics, significantly correlate with stress.
Among the social environment characteristics, social capital negatively influenced stress in the total model, suggesting that it had a stress-reducing effect on PSMHCRs. However, discrimination experience positively influenced the stress of PSMHCRs, even though it was not significant. Housing price showed a positive (+) influence on stress, increasing the stress of PSMHCRs. Thus, socioeconomic status differences were a recurrent stress factor with the emergence of neighborhood status gaps in communities. Regarding physical environment characteristics, residential satisfaction, and environment negatively influence stress. According to previous research, the better the physical characteristics of the residential satisfaction were (e.g., finishes, facility conditions, housing performance, and being barrier-free), the lower the stress level was.
Furthermore, better access to transport, education, healthcare, and public cultural facilities in the residential environment resulted in lower stress levels [34], which suggests that the excellent physical characteristics of PH affect stress reduction. The employment status of long-term full-time unemployment and rent burden showed a positive (+) effect on stress, and a higher household income had a higher negative (–) effect. This supports previous research findings that financial hardship can result in stress due to the lack of access to basic needs and healthcare facilities. The demographic characteristics of personal factors, age, and chronic disease variables also influenced stress. As per the National Health Statistics data, the stress perception rate by age group indicates that older people experience more stress, which begins to decrease from the age of 38 y. This suggests that people are most stressed at the end of their thirties when the household is formed and expanded through childbirth.
4.2 Relationship between stress and moderating effects among residents of SM housing complexes by neighborhood housing price level
Table VI presents the analysis results of a model comparing the effect on the stress of PSMHCRs by separating areas based on housing price and local characteristics into high- and low-priced housing areas.
A sample of 483 SMHCRs in high housing price areas showed significant results in the social characteristics of discrimination experience and social capital. Only satisfaction with the residential environment exhibited a significant result in the physical environment characteristics. The employment status of full-time jobs and household income were significant in the economic environment characteristics. Chronic disease and years of residence were also significant. Among the SMHCRs in areas with high housing prices, discrimination experience positively influenced stress, whereas social capital exerted a negative influence. Thus, for SMHCRs in areas with high housing prices, discrimination experience is a significant stress factor.
Furthermore, social capital negatively influenced the discrimination experience and exerted a moderating effect on discrimination-induced stress. In the physical environment characteristics, residential environmental satisfaction, rather than residential satisfaction, negatively affected stress. Thus, consistent with previous research, stress is affected by the accessibility of neighborhood infrastructures (e.g., parks, public transport, convenience facilities) [2,46,47].
A sample of 872 SMHCRs in low housing price areas exhibited statistically significant results only for social capital among the social environment characteristics. Physical environmental characteristics exhibited significant results in housing satisfaction and housing environment satisfaction. Full-time employment, rent burden, and household income were significant. In demographic characteristics, most of the results were statistically significant, except for the education level. Residential satisfaction and residential environment showed negative (–) relationships with stress. The internal condition, location, and environment of the house were leading factors in reducing stress. Years of residence negatively affected stress. The opposite was observed in high-priced housing neighborhoods. This indicated that neighborhoods with low housing prices have similar socioeconomic statuses and, therefore, more social relationships between residents, which reduces stress. In the characteristics of the social environment, only social capital exerted a negative influence on stress. Thus, SMHCRs in areas with low housing prices are more likely to be influenced by stress due to other factors than by discrimination experience. Thus, the moderating effect of social capital is essential in reducing stress for PH residents. This suggests that for SMHCRs in areas with high housing prices, discrimination experience plays a vital role in reducing stress.