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Growing Up Rural: Rurality as a Predictor of Child Mental Health in an Australian Cohort
Megan Galbally1,2, Irene Bobevski3, Evelyn Werner3,4
1School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, Victoria, 3168, Australia. megan.galbally@monash.edu.
Child Psychiatry and Human Development
|July 25, 2026
Summary
Child mental health outcomes were similar between rural and metropolitan areas. However, rural children with mothers experiencing untreated depression showed more symptoms, and rural families used less childcare.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric mental health research
- Rural and urban health disparities
Background:
- Limited longitudinal research exists on early-life mental health in rural versus metropolitan settings.
- Rural living presents unique challenges, including restricted access to specialist care and increased exposure to stressors like natural disasters.
- Understanding rural-urban differences in child mental health predictors and outcomes is crucial for addressing health disparities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally compare early-life mental health outcomes in children from rural and metropolitan communities.
- To identify potential differences in predictors and outcomes of child mental health based on geographic location.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 595 women and their children, recruited prenatally and followed until 3-4 years of age.
- Rurality classified using the Modified Monash Model (MM Model): MM1 for metropolitan, MM2-7 for rural.
- Child mental health assessed using the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment and Child Behavior Checklist.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in child mental health disorder rates were found between rural and metropolitan children at 3-4 years.
- Children of rural mothers with untreated depression exhibited higher rates of internalizing and externalizing symptoms.
- Metropolitan families accessed childcare and kindergarten at twice the rate of rural families; rural children had less screen time.
Conclusions:
- While overall child mental health did not differ, children of mothers with untreated depression in rural areas showed increased vulnerability.
- Differences in childcare and kindergarten attendance between rural and metropolitan families warrant further investigation into preference versus access.
- Findings highlight the need for targeted mental health support for mothers in rural communities to mitigate potential child mental health risks.
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