Neighborhood structural characteristics and mental disorder: Faris and Dunham revisited

Abstract

We examined the relationship between neighborhood structural characteristics and mental disorder using data from the National Institute of Mental Health's Epidemiological Catchment (ECA) surveys (n = 11,686). After controlling for individual-level characteristics, we found that neighborhood disadvantage was associated with higher rates of major depression and substance abuse disorder, and that neighborhood residential mobility was associated with higher rates of schizophrenia, major depression, and substance abuse disorder. Implications for future research on the social ecology of mental disorder are discussed.