Background:
This study was a pilot for an NHMRC-funded project examining mental health and well-being among 4000 rural households in New South Wales.
Aim:
To investigate relationships between novel indexes detailing perceived features of the rural community and psychological distress.
Methods:
A survey was mailed to 2000 adults (aged 18 years or older) randomly selected through the electoral roll from four local government areas of varying remoteness. Perceived community support (infrastructure and support networks) and community attachment were measured using items from a ‘Community Participation Survey’ and ‘Feelings about Living in the Community’ (Higginbotham et al. 2005). Postulated rural stressors included drought impact and access to health care. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler-10.
Results:
The sample (n = 449; response rate 24%) was slightly overrepresented by women (58%) and older age groups (mean 51 years ±15) and 29% were farmers/farmworkers. Moderate to very high psychological distress (K10 > 15) was reported in 23% of the sample. ‘Worry/stress’ from the drought was reported by 57% of respondents. Psychological distress also correlated with ‘worry/stress’ from rural stressors. In a hierarchical regression analysis, neuroticism, perceived health, number of stressful life events and perceived community support and attachment explained 52% of the variance in psychological distress.
Conclusions:
This pilot study has highlighted an association between perceived features of the rural community and mental health, which will be explored in greater detail in our ongoing research investigating determinants of mental health and well-being within rural communities.
