Social & Environmental Determinants of Depression Risk and Maintenance

This research examines how social, economic, and environmental factors influence the development and persistence of depression. We investigate the impact of socioeconomic status, discrimination, social isolation, neighborhood characteristics (such as access to green space, pollution), access to healthcare, employment conditions, and social support networks on mental health outcomes. Our work explores how structural inequities and systemic barriers create differential vulnerabilities to depression across populations and how social stressors interact with biological risk factors. We also study protective social factors and community resources that buffer against depression. Understanding these social determinants is crucial for developing comprehensive interventions that address not only individual-level factors but also the broader contextual influences that shape mental health, ultimately working toward health equity in depression care.