Exploring the Relationship between Affordable Housing Locationing and Economic Disparities: Impacts on Wellbeing and Mental Health

affordable housing, economic disparities, wellbeing, mental health

Research Mentor: sjangjoo@fsu.edu Sina Jangjoo, He/Him/His
Department, College, Affiliation: Public Administration and Policy, Social Sciences and Public Policy
Contact Email: sjangjoo@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:

Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: One Student in Urban Planning
One Student in Psychology or Sociology
Project Location: On FSU Main Campus
Research Assistant Transportation Required:
Remote or In-person: Partially Remote
Approximate Weekly Hours: 10, Flexible schedule (Combination of business and outside of business. TBD between student and research mentor.)
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link: Not participating in the Roundtable

Project Description

Introduction:
The literature on the relationship between affordable housing locationing and economic disparities is limited, but there is some evidence to suggest that people who live in affordable housing units in wealthy communities may experience a number of negative consequences, including: A greater sense of relative deprivation, Lower levels of wellbeing and mental health, Increased stress and anxiety, and Social isolation. These negative consequences are thought to be mediated by factors such as perceived discrimination, lack of social connection, and financial hardship.
The theory of relative deprivation provides a framework for understanding these negative consequences. The theory states that people's feelings of deprivation are not determined by their absolute level of resources, but by their perception of how their resources compare to the resources of others. In this case, people who live in affordable housing units in wealthy communities are likely to feel deprived because they are surrounded by people who have more money and resources than they do. This can lead to a number of negative consequences, including a lower sense of well-being, mental health problems, and social isolation.

Methods:
This study will use a cross-sectional survey design to collect data on the relationship between affordable housing locationing and economic disparities, and the impacts on wellbeing and mental health. The data will be collected using a survey that will measure the following variables: Affordable housing location, Sense of relative deprivation, Perceived discrimination, Lack of social connection, Stress, Anxiety, Depression, and Wellbeing.

Hypothesis:
Hypothesis 1: People who live in affordable housing units in wealthy communities will experience a greater sense of relative deprivation than people who live in affordable housing units in less wealthy communities.
Hypothesis 2: People who live in affordable housing units in wealthy communities will have lower levels of wellbeing and mental health than people who live in affordable housing units in less wealthy communities.
Hypothesis 3: The negative effects of living in affordable housing units in wealthy communities on wellbeing and mental health will be mediated by the following factors: Sense of relative deprivation, Perceived discrimination, Lack of social connection, Stress, Anxiety, and Depression.

I am confident that we will be able to publish the results of this project in a peer-reviewed journal. This would be a valuable contribution to the fields of housing policy and social psychology, and it would also help to raise awareness of the effects of affordable housing locations on their residents.

Research Tasks: 1. Literature review:
Identify key concepts and theories related to the topic (existing research on the relationship between affordable housing location and economic disparities, and the impacts on wellbeing and mental health)
Identify gaps in the research.
2. Data collection:
Develop a survey instrument to measure the variables of interest. Recruit participants for the study. Collect data from the participants.
3. Data analysis:
Use statistics to describe the variables and to test the hypotheses.
5. Write a research report

Skills that research assistant(s) may need: 1. A commitment to social justice.
2. The ability to work independently and as part of a team.
3. Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal.
4. Strong research skills, including the ability to design a survey, collect data, and analyze data using statistical methods (Recommended).