The relationship between urban high-density residential and mental disorder in Kuala Lumpur / Nur Masyitah Ghazali

The increasing trends of urbanisation and the increasing prevalence of people having depression, anxiety, and stress worldwide are alarming. Urbanisation has exerted pressure on housing provision for urban dwellers, and more high-density housing is built to accommodate the migration of people to urban areas. This study aims to explore the relationship between urban high-density residential and mental disorders to create a better environment and improve urban well-being. To understand the relationship between the urban high-density living and mental disorders, a questionnaire survey was distributed to the dwellers of urban high-density residents in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur based on the characteristics of density, open spaces, and facilities provision. An in-depth interview with experts from mental health non-governmental organisations (NGOs), an urban planning expert, and a medical expert is also done. Responses are analysed using Spearman’s Correlation for the questionnaire and thematic content analysis. The questionnaire surveys show relatively high symptomatology of depression, anxiety, and stress and a strong correlation value with high-density living. These results suggest that most people living in urban high-density living may risk developing mental disorders or are likely to worsen the levels for those with mental disorders. Thus, high-density living may not directly affect the cause of mental disorders. However, it has an indirect effect that can become a factor that contributes to the mental disorders of the urban high-density dweller, especially in low-cost housing. On this basis, mental health requisites should be considered when designing high-density housing. This research is the first step towards a more profound understanding of high-density residential and mental disorders, especially in Malaysia.