Thursday 1 October 2026 Anna Tort-Carrera will defend her doctoral thesis entitled ‘Place, peers, and mental health: A life course perspective on neighbourhood and social interaction effects in the northern Netherlands‘ at the University of Groningen.
This dissertation uses data from the Lifelines Cohort Study in the Netherlands to examine how neighbourhood and social interaction effects influence mental health disorders, including children’s mental well-being, adult depression, and loneliness. Applying linear-in-means models and spatial econometric techniques, it finds that social interactions among neighbours often have a greater impact on mental health than neighbourhood structural features. The research also highlights the need to address methodological limitations to prevent misleading conclusions. Additionally, it explores optimal ways to measure social proximity and introduces a tool to support the correct use and interpretation of spatial econometric models in health research.
The dissertation concludes by recommending targeted policies that strengthen social ties and address varying vulnerabilities across groups. lt suggests interventions such as community-based programmes to reduce isolation and promote positive behavioural norms.
This work is part of the research project “The impact of the neighbourhood effects and socio-economic status on mental health over individual life-courses“, funded by the Dutch Research Council (NWO-Open Competition, SSH: 406.20.EB.001)
For more information on the PhD defence see the University of Groningen website.
