Exploring associations between neighborhood amenities and mental health: Insights from parent reports of older youth in low-income households

• The presence of neighborhood amenities influences youth mental health, with variation by race. • Sidewalks were associated with a higher likelihood of mental health challenges for some groups but lower likelihood for others, signaling the need for attention on how contextual factors shape this relationship. • Community investments in neighborhood amenities can support youth mental health, but require diverse youth voices to achieve equitable outcomes. This study investigates the relationship between the presence of neighborhood amenities and parent-reported intensity of depression and anxiety among youth aged 14–17 in low-income households, with a focus on racial and ethnic differences. Weighted logistic regression with interaction terms for amenities and race was conducted using data from the 2021 National Survey of Children’s Health, involving families with youth ages 14 to 17 and who earn 0–199 % of the federal poverty level ( N = 3258). A series of stratified logistic regression models examined the relationship between neighborhood amenities and mental health by race. Interactions revealed that sidewalks were associated with a higher likelihood of anxiety for Black and Hispanic youth, but a lower likelihood of depression for multiracial youth. Parks were associated with a higher likelihood of depression among Hispanic youth. Recreation centers were associated with a higher likelihood of depression among multiracial youth. Community-based adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) were associated with higher depression and anxiety. Nearly all racial groups experienced lower odds of depression when the youths’ mothers’ mental health was positive. Finally, neighborhood support was associated with lower odds of anxiety for Black youth, while neighborhood detractors increased the odds of depression. We highlight the need to promote equity and a shared concern for youth mental health shaped by environmental context. Future research should explore how diverse youth experience neighborhood amenities, emphasizing the role of cross-cultural dynamics in shaping mental health.