Neighborhood Urban Form, Social Environment, and Depression

Abstract

We examined whether neighborhood urban form, along with the social environment, was associated with depressive symptoms in a sample of Miami residents. Using a validated measure of depressive symptoms, we found that living in neighborhoods with higher housing density was associated with fewer symptoms. A larger acreage of green spaces was also linked to fewer depressive symptoms but did not reach significance in the full model. Our results suggest that how residents use the environment matters. Living in neighborhoods with a higher density of auto commuters relative to land area, an indicator of chronic noise exposure, was associated with more symptoms.

Impact of the Built Environment on Mental and Sexual Health: Policy Implications and Recommendations

“…Research findings suggest that positive neighborhood environments are related to positive determinants of mental health, such as, parks for walking, while negative neighborhood environments are related to negative determinants of mental health, such as, stressors from chronic exposure to car traffic and noises [20]. Also, studies have shown that living in a neighborhood with disproportionate high burden of autocommuters relative to land area was associated with more depressive symptoms than living in areas with lower autocommuter density [37].…”

“…Meanwhile, the disabling effects of behavioral health disorders can worsen chronic physical health conditions and disrupt a person's ability to comply with treatment regimen, carry out daily activity and work, to mention just a few reasons. There are few studies that have examined the impact of social environments on mental health [20], and fewer studies focused on the built environment's impact on mental health [21][22][23]. Emerging research has established the association between neighborhood environments and mental health, particularly depression [22][23][24][25].…”

“…Findings from the existing limited studies have shown that housing density, greenspace, land use, and transportation are associated with depressive symptoms. According to Miles et al [20] in a study of Miami residents, people who live in neighborhoods with higher housing density, more mixed land use, larger acreage of greenspace, and lower exposure to chronic noises from vehicular burdens have relatively lower depressive symptoms than people not experiencing these specific built environmental conditions. This study also shows that the ways in which residents use their environment matters [20].…”

“…According to Miles et al [20] in a study of Miami residents, people who live in neighborhoods with higher housing density, more mixed land use, larger acreage of greenspace, and lower exposure to chronic noises from vehicular burdens have relatively lower depressive symptoms than people not experiencing these specific built environmental conditions. This study also shows that the ways in which residents use their environment matters [20]. Emerging literature on mental health recovery also suggests that greenspace, including parks, and access to healthcare within walking distance to such greenspace contribute positively to the recovery of people living with mental illness [26][27][28].…”

The role of noise in clinical environments with particular reference to mental health care: A narrative review

“…Peschardt and Stigsdotter's (2013) work addressing the restorative effect of 'green spaces' upon stressed users provides support for the perceived salutary effect of a natural environment; whilst their work does not focus specifically upon noise, 'absence of noise' is included within the perceived benefits of a 'serene' green space. Rocha et al (2012) and Miles et al (2012) echo the importance of environmental noise to the likely prevalence of common mental health disorders (CMD); Rocha et al (2012) suggest that efforts to reduce the prevalence of CMD should be targeted at improving living environments. Honold et al (2012) echo the importance of noise as a potential stressing factor in an individual's living environment.…”