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Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology
Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology 12/2007

01-12-2007 | ORIGINAL PAPER

Is the prevalence of psychiatric disorders associated with urbanization?

Authors: Jaap Peen, MS, Jack Dekker, PhD, Robert A. Schoevers, MD, PhD, Margreet ten Have, PhD, Ron de Graaf, PhD, Aartjan T. Beekman, MD, PhD

Published in: Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology | Issue 12/2007

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Abstract

Objectives

In many countries, the total rate of psychiatric disorders tends to be higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The relevance of this phenomenon is that it may help in identifying environmental factors that are important in the pathogenesis of mental disorders. Moreover, urban preponderance suggests that the allocation of funds and services should take urbanization levels into account.

Method

The Netherlands Mental Health Survey and Incidence Study (NEMESIS) used the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) to determine the prevalence of DSM-III-R disorders in a sample of 7,076 people aged 18–64. The sample was representative of the population as a whole. The study population was assigned to five urbanization categories defined at the level of municipalities. The association between urbanization and 12-month prevalence rates of psychiatric disorders was studied using logistic regression taking several confounders into account.

Results

The prevalence of psychiatric disorders gradually increased over five levels of urbanization. This pattern remained after adjustment for a range of confounders. Comorbidity rates also increased with level of urbanization.

Conclusion

This study confirms that psychiatric disorders are more common and more complex in more urbanized areas. This should be reflected in service allocation and may help in identifying environmental factors of importance for the aetiology of mental disorders.
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Metadata
Title
Is the prevalence of psychiatric disorders associated with urbanization?
Authors
Jaap Peen, MS
Jack Dekker, PhD
Robert A. Schoevers, MD, PhD
Margreet ten Have, PhD
Ron de Graaf, PhD
Aartjan T. Beekman, MD, PhD
Publication date
01-12-2007
Publisher
D. Steinkopff-Verlag
Published in
Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology / Issue 12/2007
Print ISSN: 0933-7954
Electronic ISSN: 1433-9285
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-007-0256-2

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