Perceived neighborhood social cohesion moderates the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms. (March 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dawson, Christyl T.; Wu, Wensong; Fennie, Kristopher P.; Ibañez, Gladys; Cano, Miguel Á.; Pettit, Jeremy W.; Trepka, Mary Jo
• Is Part Of: Health & place. Volume 56(2019:Mar.)
• Page Start: 88
• Page End: 98
• Publication Date: 2019-03
• Subjects: Adolescents -- Depressive symptoms -- Neighborhood structural disadvantage -- Neighborhood social environment; Health -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Health services accessibility -- Periodicals; Public health -- Periodicals; Political planning -- Periodicals; Social medicine -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health Policy -- Periodicals; Health Services Accessibility -- Periodicals; Public Health -- Periodicals; Public Policy -- Periodicals; Sociology, Medical -- Periodicals; Épidémiologie -- Périodiques; Politique sanitaire -- Périodiques; Santé, Services de -- Accessibilité -- Périodiques; Health services accessibility; Health -- Social aspects; Political planning; Public health; Social medicine; Periodicals; 613
• DOI: 10.1016/j.healthplace.2019.01.001
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1353-8292

Abstract

Abstract: There is a dearth of research exploring the moderating role of the social environment on neighborhood structural disadvantage and depressive symptoms, particularly among adolescents. Therefore, we examined if adolescent perceptions of neighborhood social cohesion and safety moderated the association between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms. This cross-sectional study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health). The study sample consisted of 12, 105 adolescents enrolled in 9th–12th grades during the 1994–1995 school year across the United States (U.S.). Mixed effects multilevel modeling was used to determine if adolescent perceptions of neighborhoods moderated the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms. Results showed that perceived neighborhood social cohesion moderated the relationship between neighborhood structural disadvantage and adolescent depressive symptoms (p ≤ 0.001). At higher levels of perceived neighborhood social cohesion, neighborhood structural disadvantage was associated with decreased depressive symptoms. Findings suggest that improving perceived neighborhood social cohesion may decrease adolescent depressive symptoms, particularly in neighborhoods with high disadvantage. This aspect of the neighborhood social environment may serve as a target for structural and other interventions to address the growing burden of depression among adolescents. Highlights: Structurally disadvantaged areas associated with increased adolescent depression. Perceived community social cohesion and safety associated with decreased depression. Social cohesion moderates adolescent depression-structural disadvantage association. Neighborhood social environment should be considered a target for interventions.