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Cities & Health Volume 8, 2024 - Issue 2: Thematic Issue: Cities, health and COVID-19: Further post-lockdown insights
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Original Scholarship - Empirical

Neighbourhood influences on youth mental health and stress levels during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic

Alexander Wraya Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada;b Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, ON, CanadaORCID Iconhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5405-2266View further author information
ORCID Icon,
Gina Martina Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada;b Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada;c Faculty of Health Disciplines, Athabasca University, Athabasca, AB, CanadaView further author information
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Kendra Nelson Fergusona Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada;b Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada;d Built Environment and Social Determinants Section, Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada;e Built Environment and Social Determinants Section, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, CanadaView further author information
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Stephanie E. Coena Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada;b Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada;f School of Geography, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UKView further author information
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Jamie A. Seabrooka Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada;d Built Environment and Social Determinants Section, Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada;e Built Environment and Social Determinants Section, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada;g School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada;h Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, CanadaView further author information
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Jason Gillilanda Human Environments Analysis Laboratory, Western University, London, ON, Canada;b Department of Geography & Environment, Western University, London, ON, Canada;d Built Environment and Social Determinants Section, Children’s Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada;e Built Environment and Social Determinants Section, Lawson Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada;g School of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College, London, ON, Canada;h Department of Paediatrics, Western University, London, ON, Canada;i School of Health Studies, Western University, London, ON, Canada;j Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Western University, London, ON, CanadaCorrespondence[email protected]
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Pages 143-154 | Received 02 Sep 2022, Accepted 08 Nov 2023, Published online: 28 Nov 2023
 
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ABSTRACT

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on youth mental health and stress levels warrants urgent attention. In Canada, as elsewhere in the world, public health measures in the early stages of the pandemic dramatically transformed the everyday geographies of young people. In the hyper-localisation of everyday life, surrounding neighbourhood features like parks and food-related stores may have provided the only outlets for physical activity, social interaction, and relaxation outside of the home. We examine how health-related behaviours, neighbourhood features, and demographic factors may relate to changes in youth mental health and stress levels during the first six months of the pandemic. A cross-sectional youth-informed online survey was conducted with youth, aged 13–19, in London, Ontario, Canada. Respondents were surveyed about their mental health and stress levels before and during the first six months of the COVID-19 pandemic. From 279 respondents, we identified how age, gender, ethnicity, dietary habits, physical activity levels, and availability of parks, fast food, convenience stores and grocery stores could correlate with mental health and stress levels. Given the role played by public spaces, our work underscores the importance of including youth perspectives in the planning of the public realm which contributes to healthy and thriving communities.

This article is related to:
Research for city practice

Notes on contributors

The Human Environments Analysis Laboratory is a state-of-the-art, multi-disciplinary research and training environment at Western University in London, Ontario, Canada. The lab specializes in the production, evaluation, synthesis, dissemination and mobilization of evidence needed for the development of effective policies, programs and professional practice aimed at creating healthy and vibrant communities.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Geo loc ation infor mation

This manuscript includes the geographic location of London, Ontario, Canada. The manuscript has global relevance.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/23748834.2023.2282850.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

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