A Latent Class Analysis of Perceived Neighborhood Conditions Associated with Mental Disorders Among Children in the United States

The current study examined the association between perceived neighborhood conditions and common childhood mental disorders in a nationally representative sample of children in the U.S. The data were derived from the 2017 National Survey of Children’s Health, including American children aged 6–17 years (N = 15,438). Latent class analysis was used to identify subtypes of perceived neighborhood conditions regarding neighborhood physical environment, social capital, and violence. Three classes were identified: Ideal Neighborhood (55.99%); Insufficient Assets (27.38%), and Broken and Unsafe Neighborhood (16.63%). The effects of latent classes on psychiatric outcomes (i.e. attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, depression, anxiety, conduct problem, and any of these four disorders) were examined. Class membership was differentially associated with the mental disorders after adjustment for demographic variables, food insufficiency, and guardian’s mental health. The Broken and Unsafe Neighborhood class was associated with greater odds of all childhood psychiatric disorders than the Ideal Neighborhood and Insufficient Assets class. Insufficient Assets class was associated with greater odds of all childhood psychiatric disorders than the Ideal Neighborhood class. The findings suggest that neighborhood-level interventions to decrease children’s mental health burdens are critically needed.