Determinants of mental health and self-rated health: a model of socioeconomic status, neighborhood safety, and physical activity.

ABSTRACT:

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.

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SUBMITTER: Meyer OL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4151927 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature