Rural-urban variations in psychological distress: findings from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2007

Abstract

Objectives: To describe rural and urban differences in the prevalence and correlates of psychological distress in the United States.

Methods: We analyzed 2007 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) data from 62,913 respondents residing in 94 counties in 24 states, and District of Columbia that administered the Kessler-6 (K6) psychological distress questionnaire and met the BRFSS weighting criterion. Using the Rural Urban Classification Codes (RUCC), 94 counties fell into four groups (two metropolitan and two non-metropolitan) out of the nine-part RUCC scheme; these levels were collapsed into two distinct categories of urban and rural.

Results: Unadjusted estimates indicate that urban county residents have a 22 % higher likelihood of having either MPD or SPD than rural residence (odds ratio [OR]: 1.22, 95 % confidence interval [CI]: 1.09-1.36). This association was slightly attenuated after adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics 17 % higher (OR: 1.17, 95 % CI: 1.04-1.31).

Conclusion: This is the first study to our knowledge reporting rural and urban prevalence of psychological distress derived from population-based, county-level data for 94 counties in the United States.