TY - JOUR
T1 - Determinants of mental health and self-rated health
T2 - A model of socioeconomic status, neighborhood safety, and physical activity
AU - Meyer, Oanh
AU - Castro-Schilo, Laura
AU - Aguilar-Gaxiola, Sergio
PY - 2014
Y1 - 2014
N2 - Objectives. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on mental health and self-rated health (SRH), and evaluated how these relationships might vary by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Methods. We analyzed data of 44 921 adults who responded to the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. We used a path analysis to test effects of SES, neighborhood safety, and physical activity on mental health and SRH. Results. Low SES was associated with greater neighborhood safety concerns, which were negatively associated with physical activity, which was then negatively related to mental health and SRH. This model was similar across different racial/ethnic and gender groups, but mean levels in the constructs differed across groups. Conclusions. SES plays an important role in SRH and mental health, and this effect is further nuanced by race/ethnicity and gender. Identifying the psychological (neighborhood safety) and behavioral (physical activity) factors that influence mental health and SRH is critical for tailoring interventions and designing programs that can improve overall health.
AB - Objectives. We investigated the underlying mechanisms of the influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on mental health and self-rated health (SRH), and evaluated how these relationships might vary by race/ethnicity, age, and gender. Methods. We analyzed data of 44 921 adults who responded to the 2009 California Health Interview Survey. We used a path analysis to test effects of SES, neighborhood safety, and physical activity on mental health and SRH. Results. Low SES was associated with greater neighborhood safety concerns, which were negatively associated with physical activity, which was then negatively related to mental health and SRH. This model was similar across different racial/ethnic and gender groups, but mean levels in the constructs differed across groups. Conclusions. SES plays an important role in SRH and mental health, and this effect is further nuanced by race/ethnicity and gender. Identifying the psychological (neighborhood safety) and behavioral (physical activity) factors that influence mental health and SRH is critical for tailoring interventions and designing programs that can improve overall health.
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U2 - 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302003
DO - 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302003
M3 - Article
C2 - 25033151
AN - SCOPUS:84906099290
VL - 104
SP - 1734
EP - 1741
JO - American Journal of Public Health
JF - American Journal of Public Health
SN - 0090-0036
IS - 9
ER -