The Role of Individual and Neighborhood Characteristics on Mental Health after a Period of Economic Crisis in the Lisbon Region (Portugal): A Multilevel Analysis

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2019 Jul 24;16(15):2647. doi: 10.3390/ijerph16152647.

Abstract

Mental health is an intrinsic dimension of health influenced by individual and contextual factors. This cross-sectional study analyzes the association between the individual, neighborhood characteristics, and one's self-assessed mental health status in the Lisbon region after an economic crisis. Via the application of multilevel regression models, the study assesses the link between one's neighborhood environment-deprivation, low self-assessed social capital, and low self-assessed satisfaction with the area of residence-and mental health regardless of one's individual characteristics. Constraints related to the economic crisis play an important role in the explanation of poor mental health.

Keywords: Portugal; economic crisis; mental health; mental health determinants; neighborhood environment.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Economic Recession*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health*
  • Middle Aged
  • Multilevel Analysis
  • Personal Satisfaction
  • Portugal
  • Residence Characteristics*
  • Social Capital
  • Young Adult