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The Relationship between Air Pollution and Depression in China: Is Neighbourhood Social Capital Protective?

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  • Ruoyu Wang

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
    Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China)

  • Desheng Xue

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
    Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China)

  • Ye Liu

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
    Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China)

  • Penghua Liu

    (School of Geography and Planning, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China
    Guangdong Key Laboratory for Urbanization and Geo-simulation, Sun Yat-Sen University, Xingang Xi Road, Guangzhou 510275, China)

  • Hongsheng Chen

    (School of Architecture, Southeast University, Si-Pai-Lou Road No. 2, Nanjing 210096, China)

Abstract

There is increasing evidence from the developed world that air pollution is significantly related to residents’ depressive symptoms; however, the existence of such a relationship in developing countries such as China is still unclear. Furthermore, although neighbourhood social capital is beneficial for health, whether it is a protective factor in the relationship between health and environment pollution remains unclear. Consequently, we examined the effects of cities’ PM 2.5 concentrations on residents’ depressive symptoms and the moderating effects of neighbourhood social capital, using data from the 2016 wave of China Labourforce Dynamics Survey and the real-time remote inquiry website of Airborne Fine Particulate Matter and Air Quality Index. Results showed that PM 2.5 concentrations and neighbourhood social capital may increase and decrease respondents’ depressive symptoms, respectively. Notably, neighbourhood social capital decreased the negative effect of PM 2.5 concentrations on respondents’ depressive symptoms. These analyses contributed to the understanding of the effect of air pollution on mental health in China and confirmed that neighbourhood social capital were protective factors in the relationship between health and environment hazards.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruoyu Wang & Desheng Xue & Ye Liu & Penghua Liu & Hongsheng Chen, 2018. "The Relationship between Air Pollution and Depression in China: Is Neighbourhood Social Capital Protective?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-13, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:6:p:1160-:d:150347
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