The Association of Multiple Neighborhood Perceptions with Depression among a Highly Impoverished Urban Sample

Studies show a link between neighborhoods and depression. Multiple social processes may contribute to this relationship. This study examines multiple neighborhood social factors simultaneously and how each may contribute to depression. 717 individuals were recruited from high-drug-use areas in Baltimore, Maryland to be interviewed. Participants reported perceptions of their neighborhood and depressive symptoms. The influence of four neighborhood factors (social disorder, institutional control, individual control, and future risk) on presence of depression was assessed using logistic regression. Higher levels of social disorder (OR:1.36) and perceived future risk of crime (OR:1.41) were associated with greater odds of depression. These relationships remained even when accounting for other neighborhood and individual factors. These results suggest perceived social disorder and future risk of being a victim of crime may be particularly salient in exacerbating depressive symptoms. This research may be beneficial for individual and community-based interventions for prevention and treatment of depression.