Despite the common belief that life outside the city is more peaceful and beneficial for mental health, new research by American scientists casts doubt on this theory. Researchers examined data from two large longitudinal surveys of US residents to determine how living in an urban or rural area affects people's psychological well-being and personality traits. The results of the study, published in the Journal of Personality, showed that there are significant differences between city dwellers and villagers in aspects of well-being and the so-called "big five" personality traits.
Rural residents were found to exhibit lower levels of traits such as openness to new experiences and conscientiousness, and to have lower overall levels of psychological well-being. In contrast, rural residents have a higher level of neuroticism, which may indicate a greater tendency to anxiety and emotional instability. Researchers believe that one possible reason for this difference is limited access to psychological care and a less developed infrastructure for mental health support in rural areas.
Among other factors that can affect the level of well-being of rural residents, researchers consider the limited opportunities for self-development, social activity and gaining new experiences, which are more accessible in cities. In addition, living in a city provides more social connections and resources, which can positively affect psychological stability and life satisfaction.
These findings challenge the popular idea of rural life as an ideal environment for achieving inner peace and harmony. Rather, they emphasize the importance of access to services and opportunities typically offered by the city in supporting mental well-being and character development.
