Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania have identified a link between urbanization and higher rates of depression in developed nations, while this pattern is not seen in many developing countries. The findings were reported in the Journal of Affective Disorders.
Across a broad review, scientists evaluated high-quality studies that connect how common depression is with the degree of urbanization. Using the United Nations 2022 categories, the researchers grouped countries into developing and developed to compare outcomes across different income levels and living environments.
In developed countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Sweden, France, and Japan, living in urban areas was associated with about a 1.37-fold increase in the likelihood of depression. Conversely, the analysis did not detect a significant urbanization effect on depression in several developing nations, including China, India, South Korea, and Nigeria.
The authors call for more research to uncover why urban life correlates with higher depression rates in wealthier nations. Some hypotheses point to gaps in access to qualified mental health care for rural residents, which may cause underreporting in official statistics. Others suggest that urban settings bring greater social inequality, economic stress, pollution, and reduced nature contact, all of which could contribute to mental health challenges.
Additional context from prior research highlights ongoing questions about how environmental and social factors shape mood disorders across different regions and cultures. This line of inquiry emphasizes the need for context-specific approaches to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment in both urban and rural communities. [Citation: Journal of Affective Disorders, UPenn study, 2024 update].