Where Black Adolescents Live Affects Their Mental Health

It's easy to think that growing up in a neighborhood with safe, clean parks, little or no discrimination, or people who don't struggle financially leads to a less stressful childhood. Conversely, neighborhoods with less public space, violence and poverty create a more stressful environment for a child.

Unfortunately, systemic and structural issues such as material inequality, residential segregation, barriers to home ownership, and environmental injustice in the neighborhoods disproportionately home to Black American teens make Black teens more likely to grow up in this latter scenario.

New research by Melissa Vilodos, an assistant professor of social work, shows that the stress of neighborhood poverty and community violence affects the mental health of black American teenagers. This may be because black American teenagers have a higher suicide rate than any other race or ethnicity, and because mental health problems are more common among racial minorities.

"We need initiatives that support adolescent stress reduction and mental health, build healthy neighborhoods and local resources to improve the lives of young Black people living in socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods," says Vilodas, who reviews the research existing on the environmental contribution made in the district. Stress among black American adolescents.

According to community data, four different aspects of the environment have been studied in relation to stress in black American adolescents:

• perceived neighborhood environment, such as perceived levels of trust and safety;

• built environments such as parks and community centers;

• exposure to community violence such as gang activity and drug use; AND

• neighborhood disadvantages such as poverty, racism and discrimination.

The study also highlights the potential of neighborhood mental health interventions to address stress through community revitalization in places where Black teens experience minimal stress, including parks, community centers and libraries.

The work was published in the magazine "Gioventù e Società" .

More information: Melissa L. Villodas et al., Examining the Influence of Neighborhood Environment on Stress Among Black American Adolescents: Scope, Youth, and Society (2023). DOI: 10.1177/0044118X231179243

Quote : Black Adolescent Lives Affect Mental Health (2023, August 1) Retrieved August 4, 2023 from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-08-black-adolescents-affects-mental-health.html.

This document is subject to copyright. No part may be reproduced without written permission, except by reasonable arrangements for personal study or research. The content is provided for informational purposes only.

Specialist in mental health, depression and suicide among black youth