Neighborhood Social Environment, Composition and Depression in Latinx

Project Summary/Abstract: Depression is one of the most prevalent mental health disorders in the United States. Further, Latinos in the US represent one of the fastest growing ethnic groups and report the second highest rates of depression, making their growing presence in neighborhoods and their well-being relevant to the overall success of the nation. Yet the effects of neighborhood-level factors on depression, particularly in Latinos, remains understudied. There exists a paucity of research that examines the effect of residential segregation on mental health. Fewer still has assessed causal pathways— including through neighborhood features such as neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and neighborhood problems (NP)—using rigorous quantitative methodologies. Additionally, NSC is of particular interest due to the potential mental health benefits it may have. However, the literature examining for what subgroup of Latinos NSC is most helpful for depression and what the spatial relationship may be is limited. In an effort to address these gaps, I will examine 1) The direct and indirect effect of residential segregation on depressive symptoms at two time points in Latinos through individual-level NSC and NP, 2) The cross-sectional direct and indirect effect of residential segregation on depressive symptoms in Latinos through neighborhood-level NSC and NP, 3) Effect modification of the association between individual level NSC on depressive symptoms by language proficiency while accounting for neighborhood differences, and Exploratory) To explore the spatial relationship between individual-level NSC and depressive symptoms in Latinos. Method & Analysis: This dissertation study will employ multilevel models in order to account for clustering in two population-based datasets: the Latino sample in the Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis and its ancillary Neighborhood Study (Aim 1,2) and the Hispanic Community Health Survey/Study of Latinos and its Sociocultural Ancillary Study (Aim 3). In order to address gaps in the literature I will 1) carryout a mediation analysis using a multilevel model across two time points (2003, 2010) to examine the direct and indirect effects of residential segregation on depressive symptoms through individual-level NSC and NP (AIM 1). To address same source bias in using individual-level NSC and NP as mediators, a cross-sectional (2010) multilevel model will be used to examine the direct and indirect effects of residential segregation on depressive symptoms using neighborhood-level measures of NSC and NP (AIM 2). Multilevel models will also be employed to examine effect modification of the association between NSC and depressive symptoms by language proficiency (AIM 3). Contributions: The 2-year training program and dissertation proposed in this F-31 fellowship application will support me in developing skills and methods in neighborhood effects research critical to the completion of my dissertation study and doctoral research training. The fellowship will ultimately further my goal of becoming an independent research scientist that will address mental health inequities through neighborhood effects research in minoritized populations.