A Network Analysis of Built Environment Features and Depressive Symptoms over an 18-year period

Although the built environment has been identified as a risk factor for depressive symptoms, it is unclear whether these associations are driven by specific environmental features and whether they remain stable over time. In 10,310 ALSPAC women living in Bristol city, we conducted preregistered network analyses to investigate cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between built environment features (e.g., population density, green space and walkability) and depressive symptoms (at ages 28, 32 and 48 years). Contrary to our hypotheses, associations between individual built environment variables and depressive symptoms were consistently weak. Exploratory factor analyses indicated a built environment factor associated with depressive symptoms at baseline (β = 0.148, p < .001) and 4-year follow-up (β = 0.114, p = .011), but not at 18-year follow-up (β = -0.005, p = .950). These findings suggest the combined influence of built environment features may explain depressive outcomes better than individual built environment measures alone.