Mental health status among rural women of reproductive age: findings from the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study.

Full Abstract

OBJECTIVES:
We sought to examine variables associated with mental health among rural women of reproductive age, with particular attention given to rural area type and farm residence.

METHODS:
We analyzed data from the Central Pennsylvania Women's Health Study, which included a random-digit-dialed survey of women aged 18 to 45 years. Hierarchical multiple linear and logistic regression models were estimated to predict 3 mental health outcomes:
score on a mental health measure, depressive symptoms, and diagnosed depression or anxiety.

RESULTS:
Mental health outcomes were associated with different factors. Farm residence was associated with higher mental health score, and the most isolated rural residence was associated with less diagnosed depression or anxiety. Elevated psychosocial stress was consistently significant across all models. A key stress modifier, self-esteem, was also consistently significant across models. Other variables associated with 2 of the outcomes were intimate partner violence exposure and affectionate social support.

CONCLUSIONS:
Farm residence may be protective of general mental health for women of reproductive age, and residence in isolated rural areas may decrease access to mental health screening and treatment, resulting in fewer diagnoses of depression or anxiety.

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Author information

Author/s: Hillemeier, Marianne M (MM); Weisman, Carol S (CS); Chase, Gary A (GA); Dyer, Anne-Marie (AM);

Affiliation: Department of Health Policy and Administration, Pennsylvania State University, 604 Ford Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. mmh18(-atsign-)psu.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: American journal of public health (Am J Public Health), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2008-Jul; vol 98 (issue 7) : pp 1271-9

Dates: Created 2008/06/11; Completed 2008/06/24;

PMID: 18511738, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 11/6/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Adult
Anxiety - epidemiology
Depression - epidemiology
Female
Health Status
Humans
Mental Health - statistics & numerical data
Middle Aged
Pennsylvania - epidemiology

Questionnaires
Reproductive Health Services - organization & administration
Rural Population - statistics & numerical data
Self Concept
Social Environment
Social Support
Socioeconomic Factors
Women's Health
Women's Health Services - organization & administration

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