Correlates of Urban Stress and Mental Health: The Impact of Social Context on Resilience

Abstract

Since the beginning of time, the development of larger communities and subsequently cities have served as havens that offered protection from the dangers of living in isolated areas and a potential source of opportunity to develop new skills and “create a new life.” These beliefs are still a reality today as we see continued yearly migration of immigrants from abroad and inhabitants of rural areas to large cities. Despite the opportunities provided by the urban environment, the work of Srole, Langner, Pearlin, and others suggests that living in urban areas potentially incurs physical and emotional costs. Thus, we can legitimately ask whether the urban environment continues to provide the same security and opportunity it once did. In this paper, we will explore the evidence that suggests that the characteristics of urban communities elevate stress levels and consequently increases the risk for mental disease. Further, we will explore how community factors can promote individual resilience to protect against the vulnerability of chronic stress and the risk of mental pathology.