Work

Neighborhood Context, Divine Struggles, and Psychological Distress

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Although researchers have consistently linked structural neighborhood disadvantage with poorer mental health, they continue to search for underlying mechanisms. In this article, we test whether the association between structural neighborhood disadvantage and psychological distress is mediated by perceived neighborhood disorder and divine struggles. Using longitudinal national survey data from the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS 2 and 3) study ( n = 2,083), we employed structural equation modeling and marginal models with unstructured covariances. Our mediation analysis confirmed the indirect effect of neighborhood structural disadvantage (concentrated socioeconomic disadvantage) on psychological distress (depression and anxiety) through perceived neighborhood disorder (perceptions of neighborhood safety and the built environment) and divine struggles (strained relations with God). Our analyses build on previous work by demonstrating that divine struggles may play a role in explaining why living in a neighborhood that is characterized by structural disadvantage and disorder is often associated with poorer mental health.

Source: Society and Mental Health

DOI: 10.1177/21568693241300627

Authors: Terrence D. Hill, Pui Yin Cheung, David S. Curtis, Yehua D. Wei, Laura Upenieks, Ming Wen

Institutions: The University of Texas at San Antonio, University of Hong Kong, University of Utah, Baylor University

Language: English

Topic: Health disparities and outcomes

Subfield: Health

Field: Social Sciences

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Reduced inequalities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,700