The effect of urbanicity on internalizing disorders.

Urbanicity is a known risk factor for psychopathology, yet the term urbanicity has been used to describe multiple constructs, resulting in mixed findings across the social sciences literature. We used the National Survey of American Life (N = 6,082) to construct a structural equation model of urbanicity and internalizing disorders. Urbanicity was measured using both neighborhood characteristics, as well as population-based measures. We hypothesized that urbanicity would predict higher rates of internalizing disorders. Neighborhood quality (b* = 0.18, p < 0.001) was the strongest predictor of psychopathology in the final model. Population-based indicators were not significant predictors of internalizing disorders. Results suggest that neighborhood characteristics, rather than population-based indicators, may be better predictors of psychopathology. Future research should continue to develop and examine structural interventions. Integration of allied mental health professionals may help to alleviate negative health outcomes associated with poor neighborhood quality.

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