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Cohesive Neighborhoods Where Social Expectations Are Shared May Have Positive Impact On Adolescent Mental Health

Author(s): Donnelly, Louis J.; McLanahan, Sara; Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne; Garfinkel, Irwin; Wagner, Brandon G.; et al

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Abstract: Adolescent mental health problems are associated with poor health and well-being in adulthood. This study uses data from a birth cohort of children born in large U.S. cities (N=2,264) to examine whether neighborhood collective efficacy (social cohesion and control) is associated with improvements in adolescent mental health. We find that children who grow up in high collective efficacy neighborhoods experience fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms during adolescence than similar children from low collective efficacy neighborhoods. The magnitude of this neighborhood effect is comparable to the effects of depression prevention programs. Findings do not vary by family or neighborhood income, indicating that neighborhood collective efficacy supports adolescent mental health across diverse populations and urban settings. We recommend greater emphasis on neighborhood environments in individual mental health risk assessments and greater investment in community-based initiatives that strengthen neighborhood social cohesion and control.
Publication Date: Nov-2016
Citation: Donnelly, Louis J., McLanahan, Sara, Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne, Garfinkel, Irwin, Wagner, Brandon G., Jacobsen, Wade C., Gold, Sarah, Gaydosh, Lauren. (2016). Cohesive Neighborhoods Where Social Expectations Are Shared May Have Positive Impact On Adolescent Mental Health. Health Affairs, 35 (11), 2083 - 2091. doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0721
DOI: doi:10.1377/hlthaff.2016.0721
ISSN: 0278-2715
EISSN: 1544-5208
Pages: 2083 - 2091
Type of Material: Journal Article
Journal/Proceeding Title: Health Affairs
Version: Author's manuscript



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