The effects of neighbourhood social cohesion on preventing depression and anxiety among adolescents and young adults: rapid review

The longitudinal change of depressive symptoms among people living with HIV in Guangdong Province, China: A network analysis

BACKGROUND

Depression may change over time among people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aimed to understand longitudinal change of depression among PLHIV in China, and the impact of change in depression on mortality.

METHODS

A cohort study was conducted to collect data on depressive symptoms among PLHIV at baseline and one-year follow-up in Guangdong Province from May 2018 to June 2019 and continued to follow up until June 2023. Generalized estimating equations were used to explore factors associated with depression. Network analysis was used to explore the interrelations between specific depressive symptoms at baseline and one-year follow-up.

RESULTS

30.9 % of 792 participants had a pattern of remission at one-year follow-up, 6.3 % had persistent depression at both baseline and one-year follow-up, and 5.9 % had new-onset depression at one-year follow-up. 46 (5.8 %) participants died. High levels of education, HIV-related symptoms, high levels of HIV-related stigma, and low social cohesion were longitudinally associated with a higher risk of depression. Network analysis revealed that "Depressed mood" and "Sadness" had high centrality in both the baseline and follow-up networks, with "Fearful" being the most increased central node at follow-up compared to baseline. Cox regression after propensity score weighting showed that the groups with new-onset and persistent depression had a higher risk of mortality than the non-depressed group.

CONCLUSION

More attention should be paid to individuals with high levels of education and those with HIV-related symptoms. Interventions targeting symptoms with increased centrality nodes, reducing HIV-related stigma and improving social cohesion may also help to reduce depression among PLHIV.

Longitudinal effects of neighbourhoods' material and social deprivation on psychological distress of adults in Canada

OBJECTIVES

This nationwide longitudinal study investigates the impact of neighbourhood deprivation on psychological well-being of Canadian adults.

METHODS

Utilizing data from the Longitudinal and International Study of Adults (LISA) spanning 2016, 2018, and 2020, we included individuals aged 15 and above across Canada. The 2016 and 2020 samples comprised approximately 17,700 and 12,700 respondents, respectively. LISA data were paired to Neighbourhood Material and Social Deprivation data derived from Canada's 2016 Census. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler Scale (K-10), both dimensionally (score) and categorically (above the cut-point prevalence). Multi-level mixed-effects regressions were conducted, adjusting for individual-level variables.

RESULTS

At baseline, participants' mean age was 47.7 years (50.6% female), and higher social and material deprivation were associated with greater psychological distress. Longitudinally, psychological distress showed distinct temporal patterns based on the type of deprivation. Adjusted models revealed that residing in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods was linked to a greater increase in psychological distress scores over time as compared with the least socially deprived areas. Conversely, the highest degree of material deprivation showed a negative association with increasing distress, contrasting with the lowest material deprivation. A similar trend emerged regarding the prevalence of high psychological distress: in the most socially deprived neighbourhoods, there was an elevated prevalence over time, whereas the highest material deprivation was negatively associated with increasing prevalence.

CONCLUSION

This study supports the link between mental health and neighbourhood social deprivation, but differs from previous research regarding material deprivation. While material support remains crucial for disadvantaged communities, public health interventions should also address social deprivation.

Preventing depression in high-income countries-A systematic review of studies evaluating change in social determinants

We conducted a systematic review to examine whether changes in social determinants can contribute to the prevention of depression, in order to provide input for policy development and to highlight research gaps. Social determinants were defined as the structural conditions in which people live that shape their health and were categorized according to whether they pertained to societal arrangements, material resources distributed through these arrangements, or social resources that follow from interactions between people. To capture all relevant evidence we included studies that measured depressive disorders, depressive symptoms, psychological distress, mental health and prescription rates of antidepressants. We searched three databases (Medline, Embase and Psychinfo) from their inception till December 2022 and supplemented our search by reference and citation searching of the included studies. Studies were synthesized qualitatively and we used the Validity Assessment tool for econometric studies to assess study quality. Prospero submission number CRD42021236132 A total of 31,103 titles were identified, 135 studies met our inclusion criteria. The majority of studies were conducted in the United States (n = 45) or the United Kingdom (n = 39). Studies used longitudinal data (n = 61); repeated cross-sectional data (n = 20); or evaluated an intervention study (n = 7). Study designs included natural experiments (n = 19), while some used propensity score matching to construct a quasi-experiment (n = 11). Analysis methods included difference-in-difference approaches (n = 30) or regression analysis in varying forms. We found evidence that strategies that promote paid employment and parental leave policies can reduce risk of depression whereas reduced entitlements to social welfare (particularly when accompanied by obligations to enter employment), loss of income, instability of housing and collective insecurity increase depression risk. A number of studies examined moderation by gender, age category or ethnicity and of these gender was the most commonly observed moderator. Few studies tested underlying causal mechanisms with formal mediation analyses. These studies provide important indications of how intervening on social determinants of health can shape risk for depression. However, the included studies do not fully capture the complexity of the relationships between determinants and the mechanisms driving them. Future studies could take this into account, for instance by using systems approaches.

County Incarceration Rate and Stroke Death: A Cross-Sectional Study of the Influence of Physical Environment, Health Care Access, and Community Mental Distress

BACKGROUND

Few studies assess the association between county-level incarceration rates and stroke death, and none test mechanisms. We examine the link between county imprisonment rates and stroke death, testing pathways and identifying racial disparities.

METHODS

In a cross-sectional design, we regressed stroke death onto imprisonment rates, adjusting for poverty, racial composition, education, unemployment, insurance, and violent crime. Using bootstrap methodology, we tested mediation through sports/recreational facilities and food environment, mental health provider and primary care physician (PCP) access, and community mental distress. Data spanned 4 years (2016-2019) and included 2260 counties.

RESULTS

Adjusted models indicated a 0.08 (95% CI, 0.05-0.10) increase in stroke deaths for every 1-unit change in imprisonment rate. This association was mediated by food environment (indirect effect, 0.006 [95% CI, 0.000-0.014]), primary care physician access (indirect effect, 0.002 [95% CI, 0.000-0.006]), and mental distress (indirect effect, 0.014 [95% CI, 0.007-0.022]). Counties in the top versus bottom quintile of imprisonment rates had 86.26% larger Black populations and 23.46% smaller White populations. Counties in the top versus bottom quintile of stroke death had 88.94% larger Black populations and 16.19% smaller White populations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results complement evidence that living in high-jail-incarceration counties contributes to stroke death and associated racial disparities. We provide new evidence on prison incarceration rates and the pathways underpinning this association. County-level imprisonment rates and the identified mechanisms represent avenues for further research into how stroke death and disparities may be mitigated.

Gender Differences in the Association Between Childhood Neighborhood Quality and Depressive Symptoms Trajectory in Middle-Aged and Elderly Chinese: A Seven-Year Longitudinal Study

This study aimed to examine the role of childhood neighborhood quality on trajectories of depressive symptoms throughout later life based on a nationally representative sample, and to explore the role of gender in the association. Linear mixed-effects model analysis was performed to investigate a longitudinal association of childhood neighborhood quality with depressive symptoms. A total of 7,016 participants aged 45 and above were included in this study. Depressive symptoms progression was significantly faster (β [95% confidence interval, CI]: 0.13 [0.01, 0.25]; P = .027) in the low childhood neighborhood quality when compared with the high childhood neighborhood quality. The quality of childhood neighborhood was significantly associated with a change in depressive symptoms over time in females (β [95% CI]: 0.19 [0.02, 0.36]; P = .029) but not in males (β [95% CI]: 0.09 [-0.06, 0.25]; P = .224). Targeted interventions should be developed to prevent depressive symptoms for those vulnerable groups.

Associations of Perceived Neighborhood Factors and Alzheimer's Disease Polygenic Score with Cognition: Evidence from the Health and Retirement Study

We examined the relationships between neighborhood characteristics, cumulative genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease (polygenic scores for Alzheimer's disease), and cognitive function using data from the Health and Retirement Study (2008-2020, age>50). Baseline perceived neighborhood characteristics were combined into a subjective neighborhood disadvantage index. Cognitive function was assessed at baseline and measured biennially over a 10-year follow-up period. Analyses were stratified by genetic ancestry. Cox proportional hazard models analyzed associations between neighborhood characteristics, Alzheimer's disease polygenic scores, and their interactions on cognitive impairment. In the European ancestries sample, a one standard deviation higher score on the subjective neighborhood disadvantage index was associated with a higher hazard of any cognitive impairment (HR:1.09; CI:1.03-1.15). Similarly, a one standard deviation increase in Alzheimer's disease polygenic score was associated with a higher risk of cognitive impairment (HR:1.10; CI:1.05-1.16). Similar effect sizes were observed when examining cognitive impairment without dementia and dementia separately. No significant interactions were found. Comparable but nonsignificant trends were noted in the African ancestries sample. Subjective neighborhood disadvantage index and Alzheimer's disease polygenic score were independently associated with incident cognitive impairment. Preventing dementia by addressing modifiable risk factors is essential.

Having more resilience factors only gets you so far in the context of neighborhood disadvantage: understanding differential predictors of internalizing symptoms and body mass index in youth with spina bifida

OBJECTIVE

The primary aim of this study was to determine if neighborhood disadvantage predicted internalizing symptoms and body mass index (BMI) in youth with spina bifida (SB), while accounting for several sociodemographic factors. We also explored whether resilience factors helped explain associations between neighborhood disadvantage and internalizing symptoms or neighborhood disadvantage and BMI.

METHODS

Participants (n = 69, Mage=14.13, Range: 8-20, 51% biological female, 25% Hispanic/Latinx White, 28% Other/Multiracial, 48% non-Hispanic/Latinx White) were drawn from a retrospective chart review of clinical data, including self-reported resilience factors and internalizing symptoms, collected as part of the standard of care in a multidisciplinary pediatric SB clinic. Neighborhood disadvantage scores were extracted from participant addresses. Using structural equation modeling, we examined whether neighborhood disadvantage predicted BMI and internalizing symptoms. We explored whether these paths were mediated by resilience factors.

RESULTS

Higher neighborhood disadvantage predicted higher BMI and lower internalizing symptoms. Higher neighborhood disadvantage predicted higher resilience factors, which predicted lower internalizing symptoms. Higher resilience factors did not predict BMI.

CONCLUSIONS

Neighborhood disadvantage may require youth with SB to navigate their way to additional resilience factors to maintain better psychosocial outcomes. However, having more resilience factors may not help offset the physical health costs of disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Neighborhood Cohesion and Symptoms of Anxiety Across Racial/Ethnic Groups in the United States

This study evaluates whether the association between neighborhood cohesion and frequency of anxiety symptoms varies by racial/ethnic group in the United States (US). Our study includes 89,617 respondents ages 18 and older from the National Health Interview Survey (2013-2018). We fit multivariate generalized linear regression models with interactions between neighborhood cohesion and race/ethnicity to test our hypotheses. We find that greater neighborhood social cohesion is associated with a lower frequency of anxiety symptoms for all racial/ethnic groups. However, this relationship was strongest for NL-Whites and Asians compared to NL-Black and Latine adults. No significant differences in this relationship were found between NL-Black, Latine, and Asian adults. Our study suggests that examining markers of mental health, such as anxiety symptoms, among the US population should consider variations in associations by race/ethnicity to expand our understanding of contextual factors that are associated with these outcomes. Population-based assessments of mental health markers should consider how sociocultural mechanisms operate differently by race/ethnicity.

The Relationship Between the Neighbourhood Environment and Mental Health: Integrating Subjective and Objective Perspectives

AIMS

To explore the relationship between neighbourhood environments and mental health by integrating subjective and objective perspectives.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study.

METHODS

From September 2023 to January 2024, adult residents at the physical examination centers of two public hospitals in China completed measurements of subjective neighbourhood environment, depressive and anxiety symptoms, psychological stress, and socio-demographic characteristics. Geographic information systems (GIS) were employed to extract objective environmental data including parks, bus stops, sports facilities, leisure facilities, residential housing, restaurants, food retail facilities, and street connectivity within a buffer zone of 500-m radius of the participants' residential areas. Data were analysed using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

This study included 438 participants (mean age, 36.98 ± 11.05 years; 55.3% female). The mean scores for depression, anxiety, and psychological stress were 3.55 ± 2.99, 3.16 ± 2.91, and 13.11 ± 4.88, respectively. The total score of the subjective neighbourhood environment was 78.33 ± 10.63, with the mean scores of each dimension ranging from 5.14 to 23.76. After adjusting for potential confounders, higher scores on street environment and higher density of sports facility were statistically significantly associated with reduced risk of depressive symptoms and psychological stress. Additionally, higher scores on walking environment and social cohesion were significantly associated with reduced risk of anxiety symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This study found that street environments, walking environments, social cohesion, and density of sports facilities were independently associated with the mental health of adult residents in China.

IMPLICATIONS

The findings provide valuable insights for healthcare providers to consider specific health-related environmental factors and develop tailored interventions to promote the mental health of the residents.

IMPACT

Understanding the relationship between the subjective and objective environmental factors on mental health is crucial for developing effective intervention strategies, preventing psychological issues, enhancing the quality of care, and advancing public health policies and research.

REPORTING METHOD

The study was reported following the strengthening of the reporting of observational studies in epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No patient or public contribution.

Factors Associated With Mental Health Literacy, Depression, and Anxiety Amongst Indonesian Adolescents

AIMS

This study aims to identify factors associated with mental health literacy (mental health knowledge and attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking behaviours), depression and anxiety amongst adolescents, and test the hypothesised model by examining the interrelationships between these outcomes.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional descriptive quantitative research.

METHODS

Using convenient sampling, 615 adolescents from four public schools completed online questionnaires measuring mental health literacy, depression, and anxiety. The data were analysed using Pearson correlation, multiple linear regression, and structural equation modelling (SEM).

RESULTS

Individual factors (e.g., gender, physical health and past traumatic experiences), family factors (e.g., parental criticism and family support) and school/community factors (e.g., academic pressure and safety) were associated with mental health outcomes. SEM revealed an association between higher mental health knowledge and better attitudes towards mental health and help-seeking behaviours but did not show a significant association with depression and anxiety.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings emphasise the need for holistic and culturally safe approaches to address adolescent mental health in Indonesia.

IMPLICATIONS

Future research should focus on developing and evaluating tailored mental health interventions in Indonesia that address individual, family, school, and community factors. These interventions should target the interrelated aspects of mental health literacy, depression, and anxiety identified in this study. Key areas for intervention include enhancing self-esteem, promoting help-seeking behaviours, supporting spirituality, managing long-term conditions, improving sleep hygiene, encouraging physical activity, teaching stress management techniques, fostering diversity, managing trauma, and combating discrimination. A comprehensive approach to adolescent mental well-being should integrate parental involvement, peer support systems, community engagement initiatives, and mental health literacy education.

IMPACT

This research informs future interventions such as school-based programs, family-oriented campaigns, and community initiatives to support adolescent mental health, potentially influencing policy decisions, and resource allocation in mental health services.

REPORTING METHOD

STROBE guidelines.

PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION

No direct patient or public contribution.

The impact of neighborhood deprivation on mental health and quality of life in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic: Findings from the COPSY Hamburg study

INTRODUCTION

Socioeconomic inequalities have been associated with poorer mental health outcomes in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite numerous studies on individual risk factors, the impact of societal environment, such as neighborhood characteristics, on changes in mental health has rarely been investigated. This study investigates the effect of neighborhood deprivation on mental health problems and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic in Hamburg, Germany.

METHODS

Data were derived from the prospective German COPSY Hamburg study. Children and adolescents aged between 11-20 years and their parents participated in the study, which took place in summer 2020 (T1) and summer 2022 (T2). Neighborhood deprivation was assessed by a neighborhood status index. Mental health problems and HRQoL were assessed using internationally validated and established instruments. The prevalence of mental health problems and impaired HRQoL was reported. Analysis of covariance was conducted to examine the effect of neighborhood deprivation of the districts in Hamburg on the (changes in) mental health problems and HRQoL while controlling for social individual-level indicators.

RESULTS

The total sample included in the statistical analysis consisted of N = 2,645 families. Children and adolescents living in more deprived areas had higher levels of general mental health problems and depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, differences in neighborhood deprivation did not relate to the HRQoL and the averaged changes in children and adolescents' mental health problems and HRQoL from summer 2020 to summer 2022.

DISCUSSION

Neighborhood deprivation is associated with impaired mental health in youth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Children and adolescents' mental health and overall well-being should be addressed by health promotion measures to create a health-promoting living environment, including diverse neighborhoods. Future research should focus on uniform assessment methods and addressing additional neighborhood factors.

Urbanization, loneliness and mental health model - A cross-sectional network analysis with a representative sample

With increasing urbanization, more people are exposed to mental health risk factors stemming from the urban social or physical environment. However, research on the relationship between urbanization and mental health is lacking. This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationships of the physical environment (spatial cohesion and urban environment) and social factors (neighborhood cohesion) with mental health (stress, anxiety and depression symptoms) and physical health and the mediating role of loneliness based on the proposed theoretical model. The study was conducted in Metropolis GZM (Silesia, Poland) in a representative sample of 3296 residents (48% women). The measurements used were the PSS-10, GAD-7, PHQ-9, R-UCLA3 and neighborhood cohesion scale. ANOVA results showed that city residents had better mental health indices than residents of villages and small towns. The network approach revealed that urbanization was one of the most influential nodes and played the role of a bridge between all other nodes. The model was confirmed and showed that the relationships between the physical environment and mental health were consecutively mediated by neighborhood cohesion and loneliness. Spatial cohesion related to factors of the physical environment and physical health, while physical health was directly connected to sociodemographic factors and weakly to stress. Anxiety was the strongest risk factor. Mental health can be improved by social and architectural factors, such as strengthening neighborhood cohesion and improving neglected buildings.

Social network size and endorsement of political violence in the US

BACKGROUND

In recent years, the United States (US) has witnessed a rise in political violence. Prior research has found that an individual's social network is associated with their likelihood of engaging in various forms of violence, but research on social networks and political violence in the US context is limited. This study examined associations between social network size and endorsement of political violence in a recent nationally representative survey and explored how the relationship varied by use of social media as a major news source, perceptions of the government as an enemy, and membership in a marginalized or privileged racial or ethnic group.

METHODS

This was a nationally representative cross-sectional survey study of adults aged 18 and older in the US, administered from May 13-June 2, 2022. The exposure was social network size, defined by the number of strong social connections. We examined three violence-related outcomes: support for non-political violence, support for political violence, and personal willingness to engage in political violence. We estimated prevalence ratios for associations using survey-weighted Poisson regression with robust standard errors, adjusting for hypothesized confounders and including interaction terms to examine effect measure modification.

RESULTS

The sample included 8,620 respondents. Median age was 48.4 years (95% CI = 47.9-48.8), 51.5% were female (95% CI = 50.4-52.7%), and 62.7% self-identified as non-Hispanic White (95% CI = 61.4-65.9%). In adjusted models, those with zero strong connections were more likely than those with 1-4 strong social connections to consider political violence usually/always justified in general (PR = 2.43, 95% CI = 1.47-4.01). Those with 50 + strong connections were more likely than those with 1-4 strong social connections to consider political violence usually/always justified in at least one situation (PR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.03-1.37) and were more likely to report being willing to personally use political violence (PR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.13-2.04). Associations varied somewhat by social media use, perceptions of the government as an enemy, and racialized identity.

CONCLUSIONS

Individuals who reported very few and very many strong social connections were more likely than others to support political violence or be personally willing to engage in it in one form or another. Findings point toward potential intervention and prevention opportunities.

Connected communities: Perceived neighborhood social cohesion during adolescence and subsequent health and well-being in young adulthood-An outcome-wide longitudinal approach

Does higher perceived neighborhood social cohesion in adolescence lead to better health and well-being 10-12 years later? We evaluated this question using data from a large, prospective, and nationally representative sample of US adolescents (Add Health; N = 10,963), and an outcome-wide approach. Across 38 outcomes, perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with some: mental health outcomes (i.e., depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation, perceived stress), psychological well-being outcomes (i.e., happiness, optimism), social outcomes (i.e., loneliness, romantic relationship quality, satisfaction with parenting), and civic/prosocial outcomes (i.e., volunteering). However, it was not associated with health behaviors nor physical health outcomes. These results were maintained after robust control for a wide range of potential confounders.

Prevalence of major depressive disorder and its determinants among young married women and unmarried girls: Findings from the second round of UDAYA survey

INTRODUCTION

Depression is a prevalent and debilitating mental illness affecting young women worldwide. This study aimed to identify psychosocial determinants of major depressive disorder (MDD) among young women in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, India.

METHODS

Data from "Understanding the Lives of Adolescents and Young Adults" (UDAYA) study (2018-19) for young women aged 12-23 years, both married and unmarried was used for this paper. MDD was evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire PHQ-9 with a cut-off score of ≤10. The determinants of MDD were identified through multilevel binary logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

The prevalence of MDD was 13.6% (95% CL 12.2-15.2) and 5.1% (95% CL 4.2-6.1) for young married women and unmarried girls, respectively. Among the young married women, community-level variables like dowry-related humiliation (1.74, 95% CI 1.15-2.64), and sexual assaults (2.15, 95% CI 1.24-3.73) were significantly associated with MDD. For unmarried girls, reporting of family violence <10% of participants (0.45, 95% CI 0.24-0.85), family violence (≥10% of participants) % (0.35 95% CI 0.19-0.68) and interpartner violence (>25% of participants) (0.42; 95% CI 0.23-0.74) remain significant predictors of MDD. At individual level, for both the groups, age, participation in decision making (on education), social capital (currently attending school/educational course and number of friends), self-efficacy, telephonic harassment, and physical activity were associated with MDD. Wealth index, job seeking, participation in decision making (on health-seeking), parental interactions and physical abuse (for unmarried girls only) and education, reported last sexual intercourse, pressure from the in-laws' to conceive (for young married women only) were associated with MDD.

CONCLUSIONS

For young married women, community level targeted interventions should focus on the social ecology to foster a sense of safe community environment. For unmarried girls, additionally, interventions should aim to optimize their family environment for effective mental health outcomes.

The influence of nativity/birthplace, neighborhood cohesion, and duration lived in the neighborhood on psychological distress

Introduction

Nativity/birthplace and neighborhood cohesion are potential contributing factors to psychological distress. This study explores the impact of nativity/birthplace and neighborhood cohesion on moderate-severe psychological distress among United States (US) adults, considering the duration lived in a neighborhood.

Methods

Using the 2013-2018 National Health Interview Survey data, we conducted a stratified analysis based on years lived in the neighborhood (≤10 years [n = 96,175] and >10 years [n = 68,187]). Bivariate chi-square tests and multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess the statistical differences and associations between moderate-severe psychological distress and nativity/birthplace, and neighborhood cohesion, while adjusting for other covariates.

Results

Individuals with 10 years or less of residence reported higher levels of moderate-severe psychological distress than those with more than 10 years (22.3 % vs. 18.1 %). Low or medium neighborhood cohesion, regardless of duration of residence, was associated with significantly higher odds of moderate-severe psychological distress compared to high cohesion. Foreign-born individuals had higher odds of psychological distress after more than 10 years in a neighborhood, although this difference was not statistically significant. However, they had lower odds of psychological distress after 10 years or less in the neighborhood compared to US-born individuals. Similarly, the interaction of foreign-born status and 10 years or less of residence in a neighborhood showed decreased odds of psychological distress.

Conclusions

These findings underscore the importance of strong social cohesion in neighborhoods for positive mental well-being. Establishing community initiatives to enhance neighborhood social cohesion is crucial.

A Qualitative Exploration of the Built Environment as a Key Mechanism of Safety and Social Cohesion for Youth in High-Violence Communities

The characteristics of a neighborhood's built environment may influence health-promoting behaviors, interactions between neighbors, and perceptions of safety. Although some research has reported on how youth in high-violence communities navigate danger, less work has investigated how these youth perceive the built environment, their desires for these spaces, and how these desires relate to their conceptions of safety and perceptions of other residents. To fill this gap, this study used focus group data from 51 youth ages 13-24 living in New Orleans, Louisiana. Four themes were developed using reflexive thematic analysis: community violence is distressing and disruptive, youth use and want to enjoy their neighborhood, systemic failure contributes to negative outcomes, and resources and cooperation create safety. This analysis indicates that young people desire to interact with the built environment despite the threat of community violence. They further identified built environment assets that facilitate socialization and recreation, such as local parks, and social assets in the form of cooperation and neighbor-led civic engagement initiatives. In addition, the youth participants demonstrated awareness of structural inequities that influence neighborhood health and violence-related outcomes. This study contributes to efforts to understand how youth with high levels of community violence exposure understand and interact with the built and social environments.

Protective factors against depression in high-risk children and adolescents: a systematic review of longitudinal studies

OBJECTIVE

From a preventive perspective, this study reviewed the literature on protective factors against depressive symptoms in high-risk children and adolescents.

METHODS

We conducted a thorough search of the PubMed, APA, EMCare, and Embase databases for studies published between 1946 and August 25, 2023. We included only longitudinal studies that analyzed protective factors for depressive symptoms in high-risk children or adolescents, excluding cross-sectional studies, reviews, and pre-clinical studies.

RESULTS

A total of 29 studies with 62,405 participants were analyzed and 38 protective factors were identified. Positive individual characteristics, family factors, peer relationships, school-related aspects, neighborhood characteristics, and intrinsic religiosity were associated with improved depression outcomes.

CONCLUSION

These findings have important implications for preventive strategies in this population. Addressing protective factors can help prevent depression and enhance lifetime mental health.

Impact of Neighborhood Social Cohesion and Rodent Sightings on Mental Health among Residents of New York City During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety are prevalent globally, and rates are especially high in New York City (NYC) since the COVID-19 pandemic. Neighborhood social and physical environments have been found to influence mental health. We investigated the impact of neighborhood social cohesion and neighborhood rodent sightings (as an indicator of neighborhood cleanliness) on nonspecific serious psychological distress (NSPD) status using 2020 NYC Community Health Survey data from 8781 NYC residents. Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate the relationships among social cohesion, rodent sightings, and NSPD adjusted for confounders and complex sampling and weighted to the NYC population. Effect measure modification of rodent sightings on the effect of social cohesion on NSPD was evaluated on the multiplicative scale by adding the interaction term to the multivariable model and, if significant, stratifying on the effect modifier, and on the additive scale using the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI). Social cohesion was found to decrease the odds of NSPD, and rodent sightings were found to increase the odds of NSPD. We found significant evidence of effect measure modification on the multiplicative scale. In the stratified models, there was a protective effect of social cohesion against NSPD among those not reporting rodent sightings, but no effect among those reporting rodent sightings. Our findings suggest that both neighborhood social cohesion and rodent sightings impact the mental health of New Yorkers and that rodent infestations may diminish the benefit of neighborhood social cohesion.

Which individual, social, and urban factors in early childhood predict psychopathology in later childhood, adolescence and young adulthood? A systematic review

Background

A comprehensive picture is lacking of the impact of early childhood (age 0-5) risk factors on the subsequent development of mental health symptoms.

Objective

In this systematic review, we investigated which individual, social and urban factors, experienced in early childhood, contribute to the development of later anxiety and depression, behavioural problems, and internalising and externalising symptoms in youth.

Methods

Embase, MEDLINE, Scopus, and PsycInfo were searched on the 5th of January 2022. Three additional databases were retrieved from a mega-systematic review source that focused on the identification of both risk and protective indicators for the onset and maintenance of prospective depressive, anxiety and substance use disorders. A total of 46,450 records were identified and screened in ASReview, an AI-aided systematic review tool. We included studies with experimental, quasi-experimental, prospective and longitudinal study designs, while studies that focused on biological and genetical factors, were excluded.

Results

Twenty studies were included. The majority of studies explored individual-level risk factors (N = 16). Eleven studies also explored social risk factors and three studied urban risk factors. We found evidence for early predictors relating to later psychopathology measures (i.e., anxiety and depression, behavioural problems, and internalising and externalising symptoms) in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood. These were: parental psychopathology, exposure to parental physical and verbal violence and social and neighbourhood disadvantage.

Conclusions

Very young children are exposed to a complex mix of risk factors, which operate at different levels and influence children at different time points. The urban environment appears to have an effect on psychopathology but it is understudied compared to individual-level factors. Moreover, we need more research exploring the interaction between individual, social and urban factors.

Associations between dimensions of the social environment and cardiometabolic risk factors: Systematic review and meta-analysis

Aim

The social environment (SE), including social contacts, norms and support, is an understudied element of the living environment which impacts health. We aim to comprehensively summarize the evidence on the association between the SE and risk factors of cardiometabolic disease (CMD).

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis based on studies published in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection from inception to 16 February 2021. Studies that used a risk factor of CMD, e.g., HbA1c or blood pressure, as outcome and social environmental factors such as area-level deprivation or social network size as independent variables were included. Titles and abstracts were screened in duplicate. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Data appraisal and extraction were based on the study protocol published in PROSPERO. Data were synthesized through vote counting and meta-analyses.

Results

From the 7521 records screened, 168 studies reported 1050 associations were included in this review. Four meta-analyses based on 24 associations suggested that an unfavorable social environment was associated with increased risk of cardiometabolic risk factors, with three of them being statistically significant. For example, individuals that experienced more economic and social disadvantage had a higher "CVD risk scores" (OR = 1.54, 95%CI: 1.35 to 1.84). Of the 458 associations included in the vote counting, 323 (71%) pointed towards unfavorable social environments being associated with higher CMD risk.

Conclusion

Higher economic and social disadvantage seem to contribute to unfavorable CMD risk factor profiles, while evidence for other dimensions of the social environment is limited.

Neighbourhood characteristics and socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health: Cross-sectional and longitudinal findings from the Growing Up in Ireland study

This study examined the role of neighbourhood characteristics in explaining socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health (the total difficulties score from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire) using data from Cohort '08 of Growing Up in Ireland Waves 3 (age 5; baseline) and 5 (age 9; follow-up). Twenty neighbourhood items were grouped into neighbourhood safety, built environments, cohesion, interaction, and disorder. Data were analysed using regression, single and multiple mediation, and network psychometric analyses. We found that neighbourhood safety, cohesion, interaction, and disorder were associated with child mental health. These four domains separately (by up to 18 %) or in concert (by up to 23 %) partially explained socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health. Built environments may explain socioeconomic inequalities in mental health in urban children only. Findings from network analysis indicated that specific concerns over "people being drunk or taking drugs in public" and "this is a safe neighbourhood" had the strongest connections with child mental health. Improving neighbourhood characteristics may be important to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in child mental health in Ireland.

Development and validation of a questionnaire for measuring team cohesion: the Erlangen Team Cohesion at Work Scale (ETC)

BACKGROUND

Team cohesion is a crucial factor when it comes to job satisfaction and turnovers. However, in Germany, economic measures for team cohesion are scarce. The aim of this study was to develop and validate an economic self-report questionnaire for measuring team cohesion in a work setting in health care.

METHODS

The questionnaire was developed in a stepwise procedure. After item analysis, exploratory factor analysis was conducted to assess factor structure. Reliability was tested via internal consistency. To assess convergent and divergent validity, we applied the Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire (COPSOQ), the Perceived Cohesion Scale (PCS), the ENRICHD Social Support Inventory (ESSI), the Effort-Reward Imbalance Scale (ERI) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-4), respectively.

RESULTS

The pilot version was tested in a sample of n = 126 adult nurses. Item analysis resulted in a total of 13 items for the final version. Exploratory factor analysis indicated a two-factor structure. Internal consistency for the two subscales was good, with α = 0.88 and α = 0.84, respectively. Convergent validity with the subscales of COPSOQ and PCS was moderate to high (r =.26- r =.64). For divergent validity, correlations with the ESSI were low (r =.01- r = -.09). We further found significant correlations with depression symptoms (r=-.22- r=-.37), as well as reward (ERI) (r =.41 -r =.47) and effort (ERI) (r=-.20 - r = -.24).

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and validated the Erlangen Team Cohesion at Work Scale (ETC), a self-report measure for team cohesion with very good psychometric properties. Due to its economic deployment, it is suitable for measuring team cohesion in work settings, especially in health care.

The mediating role of neighborhood social cohesion and trust in the relationship between childhood material hardship and adolescent depression

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to examine the association between childhood material hardship and adolescent depression and how the relationship is mediated by neighborhood social cohesion and trust. Previous studies on childhood material hardship and adolescent depression have consistently pointed to the importance of social and environmental contexts in explaining health inequalities among children in socially disadvantaged families. However, little is known about the extent to which neighborhood social context contributes to increasing or decreasing the strength of the association between childhood material hardship and adolescent depression.

METHOD

Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study (FFCWS) waves 3 and 6, this study conducted Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) analysis to examine whether levels of neighborhood social cohesion and trust mediates the association between childhood material hardship and adolescent depression. The study sample consisted of 2,096 children at age 3 and 15.

RESULTS

Findings from the SEM analysis suggest that childhood material hardship is linked with higher levels of adolescent depression and this pathway is partially mediated by neighborhood social cohesion and trust.

DISCUSSION

Results suggest that neighborhood conditions played a role in mediating the association between childhood material hardship and adolescent depression. The implications of the findings are discussed in relation to policy and practice.

Perceived neighborhood disorder, social cohesion, and depressive symptoms in spousal caregivers

OBJECTIVES

Prior research into the factors linked to mental health of caregivers of older adults have largely focused on individual- or household-level characteristics, but neighborhood supports and stressors may also matter for caregiver mental health. The current study fills this knowledge gap by examining the association of neighborhood social cohesion and disorder and depressive symptoms among spousal caregivers.

METHOD

We used data from the 2006 to 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study, which include 2,322 spousal caregivers. Negative binomial regression models were estimated to examine the association of perceived neighborhood social cohesion and disorder with depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

A higher level of perceived neighborhood social cohesion was associated with fewer depressive symptoms (b = -0.06, 95% CI: -0.10, -0.02). On the other hand, greater perceived neighborhood disorder was associated with more symptoms (b = 0.04, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.08). The association of perceived social cohesion with depressive symptoms remained even after controlling for perceived disorder, but neighborhood disorder was no longer associated with depressive symptoms after accounting for reported neighborhood social cohesion.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests neighborhood supports and stressors matter for caregiver well-being. Neighborhood-based social support may be particularly important for caregivers as they navigate the challenges caregiving for an aging spouse can bring. Future studies should determine if enhancing positive characteristics of the neighborhood promotes well-being of spousal caregivers.

Eviction as a community health exposure

Evidence suggests that being evicted harms health. Largely ignored in the existing literature is the possibility that evictions exert community-level health effects, affecting evicted individuals' social networks and shaping broader community conditions. In this narrative review, we summarize evidence and lay out a theoretical model for eviction as a community health exposure, mediated through four paths: 1) shifting ecologies of infectious disease and health behaviors, 2) disruption of neighborhood social cohesion, 3) strain on social networks, and 4) increasing salience of eviction risk. We describe methods for parsing eviction's individual and contextual effects and discuss implications for causal inference. We conclude by addressing eviction's potentially multilevel consequences for policy advocacy and cost-benefit analyses.

Mexican-origin parent and child reported neighborhood factors and youth substance use

Background

Structural oppression affects health behaviors through residence in suboptimal neighborhoods and exposure to community violence. Youth and parents report perceptions of neighborhood factors that can affect youth substance use behaviors. Given that Latinx youth report higher levels of perceived community violence than other racial and ethnic groups, it is imperative to examine how youth- and parent-perceived neighborhood-level factors may relate to youth substance use.

Methods

Data were collected using clinical interviews with family triads (fathers, mothers, and youth) and parent-child dyads (father or mother and youth) enrolled in the Seguimos Avanzando study of 344 Mexican-origin families in Indiana. Neighborhood measures, including perceptions of exposure to violence, neighborhood characteristics, and neighborhood collective efficacy, were included in parent and youth surveys. Self-report measures for past year alcohol and drug use were included in the youth survey only. T-tests were conducted to estimate differences in neighborhood reports among the sample triads. A series of linear regression models were used to estimate the associations between youth-, mother-, and father-reported perceptions of neighborhood factors and youth substance use.

Results

Preliminary results indicate that fathers reported higher levels of exposure to violence than mothers [t(163) = 2.33, p = 0.02] and youth [t(173) = 3.61, p < 0.001]. Youth reported lower negative neighborhood characteristics than mothers [t(329) = 6.43, p < 0.001] and fathers [t(169) = 3.73, p < 0.001]. Youth reported significantly better neighborhood collective efficacy than mothers [t(296) = 3.14, p = 0.002], but not statistically different from fathers. Results from the primary analysis showed that youth exposure to violence was positively associated with youth substance use (b = 0.24, SE = 0.06, p < 0.0001), but the youth's neighborhood characteristics and collective efficacy were not significantly associated with youth substance use. None of the parent-reported neighborhood variables were associated with youth substance use.

Conclusion

The discrepant findings between parent and youth reports of perceived neighborhood characteristics and substance use have important implications for researchers and community stakeholders, and for developing targeted interventions and prevention strategies. Our study highlights the need to address youth experience of community violence and to prioritize creating safe and inclusive neighborhood environments. Potential strategies include improving community resources, strengthening social support networks, promoting open communication about neighborhood risks, and fostering collaborative efforts to address substance use behaviors.

Current evidence and opportunities in child and adolescent public mental health: a research review

BACKGROUND

A public mental health lens is increasingly required to better understand the complex and multifactorial influences of interpersonal, community and institutional systems on the mental health of children and adolescents.

METHODS

This research review (1) provides an overview of public mental health and proposes a new interactional schema that can guide research and practice, (2) summarises recent evidence on public mental health interventions for children and adolescents, (3) highlights current challenges for this population that might benefit from additional attention and (4) discusses methodological and conceptual hurdles and proposes potential solutions.

RESULTS

In our evidence review, a broad range of universal, selective and indicated interventions with a variety of targets, mechanisms and settings were identified, some of which (most notably parenting programmes and various school-based interventions) have demonstrated small-to-modest positive effects. Few, however, have achieved sustained mental health improvements.

CONCLUSIONS

There is an opportunity to re-think how public mental health interventions are designed, evaluated and implemented. Deliberate design, encompassing careful consideration of the aims and population-level impacts of interventions, complemented by measurement that embraces complexity through more in-depth characterisation, or 'phenotyping', of interpersonal and environmental elements is needed. Opportunities to improve child and adolescent mental health outcomes are gaining unprecedented momentum. Innovative new methodology, heightened public awareness, institutional interest and supportive funding can enable enhanced study of public mental health that does not shy away from complexity.

Resilience in development: Neighborhood context, experiences of discrimination, and children's mental health

An understanding of child psychopathology and resilience requires attention to the nested and interconnected systems and contexts that shape children's experiences and health outcomes. In this study, we draw on data from the National Survey of Children's Health, 2016 to 2021 (n = 182,375 children, ages 3- to 17 years) to examine associations between community social capital and neighborhood resources and children's internalizing and externalizing problems, and whether these associations were moderated by experiences of racial discrimination. Study outcomes were caregiver-report of current internalizing and externalizing problems. Using logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics of the child and household, higher levels of community social capital were associated with a lower risk of children's depression, anxiety, and behaviors. Notably, we observed similar associations between neighborhood resources and child mental health for depression only. In models stratified by the child's experience of racial/ethnic discrimination, the protective benefits of community social capital were specific to those children who did not experience racial discrimination. Our results illustrate heterogeneous associations between community social capital and children's mental health that differ based on interpersonal experiences of racial/ethnic discrimination, illustrating the importance of a multilevel framework to promote child wellbeing.

The association between social fragmentation and deaths attributable to alcohol, drug use, and suicide: Longitudinal evidence from a population-based sample of Canadian adults

BACKGROUND

Social fragmentation has been theorized and empirically associated with suicide in prior research. However, less is known about whether social fragmentation is associated with deaths attributed to alcohol use or drug use. This research examined the association between social fragmentation and risk for deaths attributable to alcohol use, drug use, and suicide (collectively known as deaths of despair) among Canadian adults.

METHODS

A weighted sample representing 15,324,645 Canadians within 288 census divisions between 2006 and 2019 was used. Mortality data from the Canadian Vital Statistics Database (alcoholic liver disease, drug use, and suicide) was linked with census division socioeconomic data from the 2006 Canadian census using the Canadian Census Health and Environment Cohorts. Social fragmentation at the census division was created based on the Congdon Index. Cox-proportional hazard regression with survey weights and the sandwich estimator were used to account for clustering of individuals (level-1) nested within census divisions (level-2).

RESULTS

After adjusting for individual and census division confounders, social fragmentation was positively associated with all-cause mortality (HR = 1.04; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.07), suicide (HR = 1.09; 95%CI: 1.01, 1.18), drug overdose related mortality (HR = 1.13; 95%CI: 1.03, 1.24), and deaths of despair (HR = 1.10; 95% CI: 1.04, 1.16), and not significantly associated with alcohol related liver disease (HR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.91, 1.23).

CONCLUSION

Social fragmentation is associated with an increased hazard of deaths of despair among Canadian adults. Efforts to improve social cohesion in areas that are highly socially fragmented need to be evaluated.

Neighborhood collective efficacy and environmental exposure to firearm homicide among a national sample of adolescents

BACKGROUND

Living near an incident of firearm violence can negatively impact youth, regardless of whether the violence is experienced firsthand. Inequities in household and neighborhood resources may affect the prevalence and consequences of exposure across racial/ethnic groups.

FINDINGS

Using data from the Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study and the Gun Violence Archive, we estimate that approximately 1 in 4 adolescents in large US cities lived within 800 m (0.5 miles) of a past-year firearm homicide during 2014-17. Exposure risk decreased as household income and neighborhood collective efficacy increased, though stark racial/ethnic inequities remained. Across racial/ethnic groups, adolescents in poor households in moderate or high collective efficacy neighborhoods had a similar risk of past-year firearm homicide exposure as middle-to-high income adolescents in low collective efficacy neighborhoods.

CONCLUSIONS

Empowering communities to build and leverage social ties may be as impactful for reducing firearm violence exposure as income supports. Comprehensive violence prevention efforts should include systems-level strategies that jointly strengthen family and community resources.

Neighborhood Social Environment and Self-Perceptions of Aging

Background and Objectives

Self-perceptions of aging (SPA) are associated with health and well-being later in life. Although prior studies have identified individual-level predictors of SPA, the role of neighborhood social context in SPA remains largely unexplored. A neighborhood social environment may act as a critical avenue for older adults to remain healthy and socially active, contributing to their evaluations of how they grow old. The present study aims to fill the previous research gap by examining the relationship between neighborhood social environment and SPA, and how age may moderate this relationship. This study is guided by Bronfenbrenner's Ecology of Human Development theory and Lawton's Ecological Model of Aging, positing that an individual's aging experience is deeply rooted in their residential environment.

Research Design and Methods

Our sample includes 11,145 adults aged 50+ from the 2014 and 2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. We included 4 social and economic aspects of neighborhoods: (1) neighborhood poverty; (2) percentage of older adults; (3) perceived social cohesion; and (4) perceived disorder.

Results

Multilevel linear regression models showed that respondents in neighborhoods with higher percentages of the older population and with perceptions of high neighborhood disorder reported more negative SPA. Those who perceived their neighborhoods as more socially cohesive reported more positive SPA. Controlling for individual socioeconomic and health status, only neighborhood social cohesion remained significant. We also found significant interaction effects between neighborhood social cohesion and age: The effects of neighborhood cohesion on SPA were stronger in middle age than in old age.

Discussion and Implications

Our findings provide insights into how neighborhood social context is associated with SPA, suggesting that a socially cohesive neighborhood may be important to promote more favorable perceptions of aging, particularly for middle-aged residents.

The Effect of Educational Expectations on Children's Cognition and Depression

Cognitive and psychological conditions in childhood will have an important impact on adult life. There is relatively little literature on the impact of educational expectations on children's cognition and psychological health from the perspective of urban and rural differences. Based on the cohort data of the CFPS from 2012 and 2016, this study screened a total of 994 children aged 10-15 to study the effects of parents' educational expectations and children's educational expectations on children's cognition and depression. The results show that both parents' educational expectations and children's educational expectations have a positive impact on children's cognition. Parents' educational expectations and children's educational expectations have negative effects on children's depression. When parents' educational expectations are greater than their children's educational expectations, educational expectations have a negative impact on children's cognition and a positive impact on children's depression. In both urban and rural samples, parents' educational expectations and children's educational expectations have a positive impact on children's cognition and a negative impact on children's depression. However, the impact of educational expectations on children's cognition and depression was greater in rural areas than in urban areas. When parents' educational expectations are greater than their children's educational expectations, educational expectations in urban areas have no effect on children's cognition.