Testing Moderators for Associations of Neighborhood Adversity With Psychopathology and Cognitive Outcomes.

This study examined the role of protective factors in the association between neighborhood adversity (deprivation, threat, and segregation) and psychopathology symptoms, as well as cognitive outcomes, in a large sample of youth. The findings suggest that higher neighborhood educational resources can buffer the link between neighborhood deprivation and crystallized cognitive performance. Additionally, less supportive school environments were found to weaken the association between neighborhood crime and externalizing symptoms. However, higher neighborhood segregation was associated with stronger links to internalizing symptoms for youth with more neighborhood educational resources. These results highlight the complex interplay between environmental, school, and individual factors in shaping mental health and cognitive outcomes. While the evidence for protective factors was not widespread, this study underscores the importance of considering structural influences and potential buffers in understanding environmental contributions to youth development.