The island effect: Spatial effects on mental wellbeing and residence on remote Scottish islands

Mental illness is the leading cause of disability in UK, placing huge burden on individuals and society. This study explores how mental health outcomes relate to living more geographically remote neighbourhoods role neighbourhood-level social character. Administrative, census databases were linked for a 5% sample those aged 23-68 (n= 114,428) Scotland, between years 2009-2014. Self-reported prescriptions psychotropic medications modelled by residential level remoteness, adjusting individual confounders small area measures ‘social cohesion’ namely fragmentation (SFI), gifting (SGI) income deprivation at data zone level. ill was lowest amongst residents remote/ rural areas particularly islands. Difference factors such as grade’ ethnicity did not explain this variation. Different levels cohesion appeared substantial proportion remoteness relationship with health. Remote associated lower odds Scotland. may be partially due neighbourhood structures shaped geographical isolation. These findings contribute understanding epidemiological spatial inequalities health, which could inform aspects policy.