Associations between primary residence and mental health in global marginalized populations

Authors: KNUTSON, DOUGLAS - Oklahoma State University; IRGENS, M - University Of Arizona; Flynn, Kyle; NORVILITIS, JILL - State University Of New York (SUNY); BAUER, L - University Of Missouri; BERKESSEL, J - University Of Mannheim; CASCALHEIRA, CORY - New Mexico State University; CERA, J - New Mexico State University; CHOI, N - Dankook University; CUCCOLO, K - Alma College; DANIELSON, D - University Of Toronto; DASCANO, K - Pace University; EDLUND, J - Rochester Institute Of Technology; FLETCHER, T - West Liberty University; FLINN, RYAN - Augusta University; GOSNEL, C - Pace University; HEERMANS, G - Koc University; HORNE, M - University Of Richmond; HOWELL, J - University Of California; HUA, JACQUELINE - University Of California; IJEBOR, E - New Mexico State University; JIA, FANIL - Seton Hall University; MCGULLIVRAY, S - Weber State University; OGBA, KALU - University Of Nigeria; SHANE-SIMPSON, C - University Of Wisconsin; STABLE, A - Weatherford College; UGWU, C - University Of Nigeria; WANG, S - New Mexico State University; YOCKEY, A - University Of Cincinnati; ZHENG, Z - Lasell University; ZLOKOVICH, M - Psi Chi International Honor Society In Psychology

Submitted to: Community Mental Health Journal
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/5/2023
Publication Date: 1/25/2023
Citation: Knutson, D., Irgens, M.S., Flynn, K.C., Norvilitis, J., Bauer, L.M., Berkessel, J.B., Cascalheira, C., Cera, J.L., Choi, N., Cuccolo, K., Danielson, D.K., Dascano, K.N., Edlund, J.E., Fletcher, T., Flinn, R., Gosnell, C.L., Heermans, G., Horne, M., Howell, J.L., Hua, J., Ijebor, E.E., Jia, F., McGullivray, S., Ogba, K., Shane-Simpson, C., Staples, A., Ugwu, C.F., Wang, S.C., Yockey, A., Zheng, Z., Zlokovich, M.S. 2023. Associations between primary residence and mental health in global marginalized populations. Community Mental Health Journal. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-023-01088-z.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10597-023-01088-z

Interpretive Summary: Past research suggests that marginalized people in non-urban areas experience higher distress levels (e.g., anxiety, depression) and less well-being (e.g., resilience, social support) when compared to urban populations. So far, evidence has been drawn from small samples and limited studies to support the theory that greater distance from urban centers is associated with greater distress. However, researchers have yet to demonstrate that precise proximity to urban centers is statistically associated with well-being. For the present study, we recruited 1,733 people who reported living most of their lives in 45 different countries. Participants entered their home locations on a map and they completed survey-based measures of anxiety, depression, social support, and resilience. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were used to determine what role distance from legislative and urban centers may play in well-being. Greater distance from regional legislative center predicted higher anxiety and more resilience. Greater distance from regional urban center also predicted more resilience. Thematic analyses and consensual clustering of data yielded five categories (e.g., safety, connection, environmental privilege) and seven subcategories. Implications for health service psychological interventions are discussed.

Technical Abstract: Research indicates that marginalized people in non-urban areas experience higher distress levels (e.g., anxiety, depression) and less well-being (e.g., resilience, social support) than they do in urban areas. So far, evidence has been drawn from small samples and limited studies to support the theory that greater distance from urban centers is associated with greater distress. However, researchers have yet to demonstrate that precise proximity to urban centers is statistically associated with well-being. For the present study, we recruited 1,733 people who reported living most of their lives in 45 different countries. Participants entered their home locations on a map and they completed survey-based measures of anxiety, depression, social support, and resilience. Quantitative regression and qualitative thematic analyses were used to determine what role distance from legislative and urban centers may play in well-being. Greater distance from regional legislative center predicted higher anxiety and more resilience. Greater distance from regional urban center also predicted more resilience. Thematic analyses and consensual clustering of data yielded five categories (e.g., safety, connection, environmental privilege) and seven subcategories. Implications for health service psychological interventions are discussed.