Neighborhood Effects on Anxiety and Depression

This study analyzes whether or not individuals' mental health is impacted based on urban and regional planning within the neighborhood they live in. Specifically, the independent variables of disorder, decay, and noise levels are looked at in comparison to the dependent variables of anxiety and depression. To look at how the independent variables influence the dependent variables, the Chicago Health Study from 2001-2003 is used. A survey that people filled out is used to understand the dependent variables, while independent variables are looked at using data the researchers gave about characteristics they observed within the neighborhoods. My hypothesis was that higher noise levels, disorder, and decay would lead to higher levels of anxiety and depression. Results found that when the independent variables were looked at individually they were significant for anxiety and some were some significant for depression. However, when the models were run together, due to multicollinearity, they were seen as insignificant. From the results observed, hopefully policy can be created to benefit individuals' mental health in relation to their neighborhood.