Urban neighborhoods and mental health. Psychological contributions to understanding toxicity, resilience, and interventions

Abstract

The psychological consequences of living in urban neighborhoods are described by using examples related to 3 models of neighborhood characteristics. These models highlight the impact of physical, structural, and social characteristics on various types of mental health outcomes. In addition, the characteristics of individuals and neighborhoods that encourage resilience to negative outcomes are discussed. Finally, examples of how psychology can contribute to neighborhood interventions that ameliorate or prevent residents' distress and improve neighborhood conditions are described.