Growing Up Rural: Rurality as a Predictor of Child Mental Health in an Australian Cohort

Abstract

There is a paucity of longitudinal research comparing early-life mental health in rural and metropolitan communities. Living in rural areas is associated with limited access to specialist care, as well as additional stresses such as natural disasters. To address health disparities for rural communities it is critical to understand variance in predictors and outcomes for child mental health. Data was obtained on 595 women and their children, recruited before 20 weeks of pregnancy and followed up until their child was 3–4 years of age. Rurality was assessed using the Modified Monash Model (MM Model) with 432 children in metropolitan cities MM1, and 163 in rural communities MM2-7. Child mental ..