# Using Geocoded Data and Virtual Neighborhood Assessments to Understand the Impact of Neighborhood Environment on Momentary Paranoid Ideation in Psychosis

> **NIH NIH F31** · UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK · 2024 · $45,211

## Abstract

Paranoid ideation is a significant contributor to disability for individuals living with psychosis spectrum disorders
such as schizophrenia. Despite its profound clinical significance, the factors which drive increases in paranoid
ideation in daily life remain incompletely understood. Over the past decade, there has been an accumulation of
compelling evidence demonstrating that neighborhood characteristics such as neighborhood deprivation,
disorder, crime, and lack of green space contribute to psychosis spectrum symptomatology, including paranoid
ideation. While informative, there are several limitations to the current literature on neighborhood environment
and paranoid ideation. Most research in this area relies on aggregate diagnostic measures or broad positive
symptoms ratings rather than specifically examining paranoid ideation. Additionally, novel strategies which
combine methodological approaches to assess neighborhood-level risk factors for paranoid ideation, including
using both geocoding and publicly available databases, have been called for. Finally, there is a need to directly
examine whether increases in threat perceptions resulting from neighborhood factors are merely secondary to
psychosis or whether the environment has an independent role in increasing paranoid ideation. In response to
NIMH Strategic Objective 3.2 “developing strategies for tailoring existing interventions to optimize outcomes,”
this study aims to illuminate how neighborhood environmental factors contribute to momentary paranoid
ideation so that these factors can be considered when tailoring interventions to optimize outcomes. The
proposed study will leverage data from an ongoing NIH-funded research study of the sponsor (Blanchard) to
address the current gaps in our understanding of how neighborhood environment impacts momentary paranoid
ideation. An innovative multimethod approach which combines geospatial data, smartphone ecological
momentary assessment, virtual neighborhood audits, virtual neighborhood visits by naïve raters, and self-
report data will allow us to address the following specific aims: 1a) Examine how exposure to neighborhood
characteristics as defined by census block contributes to momentary paranoid ideation, 1b) assess the
contribution of hyperlocal neighborhood characteristics on paranoid ideation, and 2) determine whether
neighborhood factors evoke threat perceptions among non-clinical observers. Findings from this project have
the potential to deepen our understanding of the role that neighborhood environment plays in the maintenance
of paranoid ideation. This study builds upon my extensive experience collecting diagnostic and behavioral data
from individuals with psychosis along with experience working with EMA data. Additionally, this project provides
an exceptional vehicle for training in spatial epidemiological data collection, management, and analysis
techniques necessary to examine environment as a social determinant of mental health a...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10995148
- **Project number:** 1F31MH135639-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIV OF MARYLAND, COLLEGE PARK
- **Principal Investigator:** Ryan Orth
- **Activity code:** F31 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $45,211
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-08-11 → 2025-06-22

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10995148

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10995148, Using Geocoded Data and Virtual Neighborhood Assessments to Understand the Impact of Neighborhood Environment on Momentary Paranoid Ideation in Psychosis (1F31MH135639-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-12 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10995148. Licensed CC0.

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