The relationships between the lack of different resources and mental health buffered by the livability of neighborhoods.

Abstract

Mental health problems plague a large proportion of young adults. Research is necessary to help us understand this ever-growing problem better. Therefore, in this study we investigated the relationship between a deficit in different resources (lack of social support, migration background and financial difficulties) and mental health. Furthermore, we investigated how these relationships are possibly buffered by the livability of neighborhoods. The theoretical motivation for the selection of these different resources is the capital theory of Bourdieu. Each resource is linked to one of three forms of capital (i.e., social capital, cultural capital, and economic capital). In this study, we used data from the health monitor young adults 2022 from the department of health from the municipality Utrecht. The sample consisted of 2276 participants between the ages of 16 and 25 years old from the municipality of Utrecht. The study used a complex sampling method to correct for underrepresented groups which made the final sample contain 52768 participants. To test our hypotheses, the study ran 5 regression models. The results were that there was a significant negative association between lack of social support and better mental health. Similarly, we found a significant negative association between financial difficulties and better mental health. On the other hand, we found no significant association between having a migrant background and mental health. Finally, livability of neighborhoods did not buffer any of these associations. These findings suggest that lack of social and economic resources is associated with worse mental health. Furthermore, livability of a neighborhood does not alter these associations. Finally, the study gives policy advice to the municipality of Utrecht based on these findings.