Impact of Environment on Adolescent Mental Health and Behavior: Structural Equation Modeling

Posits a model in which objective neighborhood qualities have a direct effect on mental health, but in which some effects are mediated by the way in which youth perceive their environment. It is hypothesized that environmental support would improve both youth neighborhood perception and their mental health. Structural equation models were used to describe how objective neighborhood (through census data and police district reports), perceived neighborhood (through self-report), and environmental support predict mental health. 792 adolescents (aged 14–18 yrs) responded to highly structured interviews. The effect of objective environment on mental health was mediated through its influence on perceived neighborhood. Environmental support mitigated negative perceptions of environment and the effect of perceived environment on mental health, while exposure to violence augmented the negative effect of perceived environment.