The aim of this research was to identify which, if any, neighborhood characteristics are associated with socioeconomic inequalities in mental well-being. Previous research indicates that socioeconomic inequalities in physical health might be reduced among populations with good access to green space. Would this same benefit of access to green space apply to mental health inequalities; and are there other neighborhood characteristics that might do the same? This study used data from a large, international sample of urban residents to address these questions.
The data was accessed from the 2012 European Quality of Life Survey on 21,294 urban, adult residents from 34 European nations. The survey included an assessment of mental well-being, perceived financial strain (“ability to make ends meet”, which served as a measure of socioeconomic status), and access to five different neighborhood characteristics or services: recreational/green areas, postal services, banking services, public transport, and cultural facilities (such as theater or cultural centers). The survey also collected personal and demographic information (including age, sex, employment status, illness, and education level) about the participants, as well as information about problems in the immediate neighborhood (including noise, air quality, crime, violence and vandalism). The latter were controlled for in the analysis because better access to neighborhood services and benefits could simply be a proxy for the absence of negative factors or risks in the neighborhood.
Analysis of the data showed that socioeconomic inequality in mental well-being was narrower for those reporting better access to recreational/green areas. Additionally, the difference in mental health scores between those under most and least financial strain fell successively as access to green/recreational areas improved. The gap in wellbeing was 40% smaller among those reporting best access and those reporting worst access to green space. None of the other neighborhood characteristics or services were associated with narrower inequality.
These findings support other research indicating that contact with nature can offer psychological restoration to those who are stressed or fatigued. This research also calls attention to the concept of “equigenic environments” – that is, environments which support the health of the less advantaged as much as, or more than, those who are more advantaged. This study suggests that the equigenic concept can be applied to mental health. This research, then, supports efforts towards improving access to recreational/green areas as a strategy to disrupt the usual conversion of socioeconomic inequalities to inequalities in mental well-being.
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