Psychosocial wellbeing and place characteristics in Mexico

This paper investigates the relationship between individual psychosocial wellbeing and place characteristics in Mexico, using multi-level models and nationally representative survey data. We explore psychosocial wellbeing in terms of self-reported depression symptoms, feelings of sadness and experience of stress; analyse place characteristics at the level of municipality and at the level of locality; and investigate individual-level heterogeneities in the relationship by gender, age, wealth and employment status. Our results suggest the existence of a significant relationship between individual psychosocial wellbeing and place characteristics, and provide evidence of heterogeneity in how place characteristics affect the psychosocial wellbeing of different groups. •The relationship between individual psychosocial wellbeing and place characteristics is analysed. •High local unemployment is associated with low psychosocial wellbeing. •Heterogeneities by gender, age, individual wealth and employment status are found.