Abstract
Children living in unsafe neighborhoods are at risk of developing depressive symptoms. Therefore, it is important to examine
factors that may buffer this relation in order to inform interventions for children residing in unsafe neighborhoods. This
study examined the moderating role of physical activity in the relation between neighborhood safety and child depressive symptoms
in a sample of 89 children (N = 50 males) ages 9 to 12 years old (M = 10.44; SD = 1.14). Data on depressive symptoms, physical activity, and neighborhood
safety were gathered from caregiver and child reports. A significant interaction was found between physical activity and neighborhood
safety, indicating that depressive symptoms were highest for those children who resided in less safe neighborhoods and did
not participate in physical activity. Implications for future intervention are discussed.
factors that may buffer this relation in order to inform interventions for children residing in unsafe neighborhoods. This
study examined the moderating role of physical activity in the relation between neighborhood safety and child depressive symptoms
in a sample of 89 children (N = 50 males) ages 9 to 12 years old (M = 10.44; SD = 1.14). Data on depressive symptoms, physical activity, and neighborhood
safety were gathered from caregiver and child reports. A significant interaction was found between physical activity and neighborhood
safety, indicating that depressive symptoms were highest for those children who resided in less safe neighborhoods and did
not participate in physical activity. Implications for future intervention are discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-10
- DOI 10.1007/s12187-012-9155-5
- Authors
- Sonia L. Rubens, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, 2017 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Ave, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Paula J. Fite, Clinical Child Psychology Program, University of Kansas, 2017 Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Ave, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA
- Journal Child Indicators Research
- Online ISSN 1874-8988
- Print ISSN 1874-897X