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Local Landscapes, Evolving Minds: Mechanisms of Neighbourhood Influence on Dual-State Mental Health Trajectories in Adolescence

Author

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  • Christopher Knowles

    (Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6JA, UK)

  • Emma Thornton

    (Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6JA, UK)

  • Kathryn Mills-Webb

    (Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6JA, UK)

  • Kimberly Petersen

    (School of Education, The University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK)

  • Jose Marquez

    (Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6JA, UK)

  • Sanja Stojiljković

    (Faculty of Philosophy, The University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Neil Humphrey

    (Manchester Institute of Education, The University of Manchester, Manchester M15 6JA, UK)

Abstract

Neighbourhood variation in socioeconomic deprivation is recognised as a small but meaningful determinant of adolescent mental health, yet the mechanisms through which the effects operate remain poorly understood. This study used #BeeWell survey data collected from adolescents in Greater Manchester (England) in 2021–2023 (life satisfaction: N = 27,009; emotional difficulties: N = 26,461). Through Latent Growth Mixture Modelling, we identified four non-linear trajectories of life satisfaction (Consistently High (71.0%), Improving (8.7%), Deteriorating (6.3%), and Consistently Low (13.9%); entropy = 0.66) and three non-linear trajectories of emotional difficulties (Low/Lessening (53.7%), Sub-Clinical (38.3%), and Elevated/Worsening (8.0%); entropy = 0.61). Using a multi-level mediation framework we assessed (1) whether neighbourhood deprivation predicted trajectory class membership and (2) the extent to which effects of deprivation operate through aspects of Community Wellbeing, as measured by the Co-op Community Wellbeing Index (CWI). Greater deprivation increased the odds of following Deteriorating (OR = 1.081, [1.023, 1.12]) and Consistently Low (OR = 1.084, [1.051, 1.119]) life satisfaction trajectories and reduced the odds of following a Sub-Clinical emotional difficulties trajectory (OR = 0.975, [0.954, 0.996]). Mediation analyses revealed that the effects of deprivation on Consistently Low life satisfaction partially operate through Equality ( ab = 0.016, [0.002, 0.029]) and Housing, Space, and Environment ( ab = −0.026, [−0.046, −0.006]). Further indirect effects were observed for Housing, Space, and Environment, which reduced likelihood of Sub-Clinical emotional difficulties for those living in deprived neighbourhoods ( ab = −0.026, [−0.045, −0.008]). The findings highlight the distinct effects of neighbourhood deprivation on affective and evaluative domains of adolescent mental health and the protective effect of housing and related environmental factors in disadvantaged contexts, advancing our understanding of the mechanisms underpinning neighbourhood effects on dual-state adolescent mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Knowles & Emma Thornton & Kathryn Mills-Webb & Kimberly Petersen & Jose Marquez & Sanja Stojiljković & Neil Humphrey, 2025. "Local Landscapes, Evolving Minds: Mechanisms of Neighbourhood Influence on Dual-State Mental Health Trajectories in Adolescence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(6), pages 1-23, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:6:p:951-:d:1681197
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Concepción Moreno-Maldonado & Pilar Ramos & Carmen Moreno & Francisco Rivera, 2019. "Direct and Indirect Influences of Objective Socioeconomic Position on Adolescent Health: The Mediating Roles of Subjective Socioeconomic Status and Lifestyles," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-21, May.
    2. Pamela Y. Collins & Moitreyee Sinha & Tessa Concepcion & George Patton & Thaisa Way & Layla McCay & Augustina Mensa-Kwao & Helen Herrman & Evelyne Leeuw & Nalini Anand & Lukoye Atwoli & Nicole Bardiko, 2024. "Making cities mental health friendly for adolescents and young adults," Nature, Nature, vol. 627(8002), pages 137-148, March.
    3. Yijun Zhang & Suzanne Mavoa & Jinfeng Zhao & Deborah Raphael & Melody Smith, 2020. "The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-26, September.
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