Perceived neighborhood cohesion and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic in the U.S.

Abstract

The U.S. entered a “second pandemic” characterized by depression and loneliness after the initial outbreak of COVID-19. These psychological consequences have driven researchers to identify protective factors during this crisis. The present study tested whether perceived neighborhood cohesion, or that neighbors trust and count on one another, related to fewer depressive symptoms and less loneliness as the pandemic unfolded. Two waves of data were collected online from the same adults in April and October, 2020 (N = 1,928). People who reported greater neighborhood cohesion had fewer depressive symptoms (b = −1.01, p < 0.001) and were less lonely (b = −0.20, p < 0.001), even when considering other pandemic-related risk factors. The association between cohesion and loneliness was even stronger 6 months into the pandemic (b = −0.08, p < .001). Working to foster neighborhood cohesion now, so this resource is available before future crises, is a worthwhile goal.