Parks, libraries, recreation centers, and sidewalks are often seen as assets that improve community life. However, new research led by Melissa Villodas at George Mason University suggests that these amenities may not always serve as protective factors for youth mental health, especially among those from diverse backgrounds.
"The mere presence of neighborhood amenities may not be enough of a protective factor for the mental health of young people from diverse backgrounds, as we recognize that youth from different backgrounds may navigate neighborhood spaces differently due to unfair systems of racism and oppression," said Villodas, who is an assistant professor of social work.
Villodas's study used national data based on parent reports about depression and anxiety in adolescents aged 14-17 from low-income families. The research found that the relationship between neighborhood amenities and youth mental health varies across racial and ethnic groups.
The study observed that Hispanic and Black youth experienced higher rates of anxiety when living in neighborhoods with sidewalks compared to White youth. Villodas suggested this could be related to how young people perceive and interact with their environment rather than the amenity itself.
"While neighborhood parks tend to positively influence mental health, our findings suggest external factors may shape youth's experiences in these spaces. For example, Hispanic youth might be hyper-vigilant in public spaces that traditionally support mental health due to anti-immigration policies and concerns about family members being deported within these spaces. Under these circumstances, access to parks may not function optimally as a protective factor," Villodas explained.
Other findings included multiracial youth being more likely to experience depression if they lived near recreation centers, while Hispanic youth had higher odds of depression in neighborhoods with parks. Conversely, multiracial youth living in areas with more sidewalks were less likely to experience depression.
By focusing on populations with limited financial resources, Villodas aims for her work to lead to more targeted recommendations for improving youth mental health at the community level.
"It is important we recognize how the presence of neighborhood amenities may shape youth mental health both for better and for worse. Because of this, our findings can offer a starting point for prioritizing youth-centered design considerations across neighborhood amenities that support the mental health of all youth," she said. "Community investments in neighborhood amenities can support youth mental health, but require diverse youth voices to achieve equitable outcomes."
The full study was published in December 2025 in Wellbeing, Space & Society.
