Natalie Claire Bennett

• The construction of race and ethnicity in health research;
• The social determinants of health;
• Ethnic density;
• Mental health and well-being;
• Understanding Society (UKHLS);
• Area and contextual effects.

Thesis title: A theory-based approach to understanding the effect of ethnic density on mental ill health in England.

My research aims to understand the so called 'ethnic density effect', whereby the health of individuals from minority ethnic groups is on average better when they live in areas with more people from the same ethnic group. Despite a growing body of research on the topic, the mechanisms by which ethnic density affects mental health remain unclear. In this project, a systematic review of existing ethnic density research on mental health in the UK is conducted, elucidating the current knowledge of the pathways involved. The results of the systematic review then inform quantitative analysis of Understanding Society cohort data, testing a hypothesised pathway framework using Structural Equation Modelling.  Research interests: Mental health and well-being, ethnic density, the construction of race and ethnicity in health research, Understanding Society (UKHLS), area and contextual effects, the social determinants of health.