Urban environment and mental health: the NAMED project, protocol for a mixed-method study

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Urban Health
• Public Mental Health

Background:

• Mental health issues are rising, particularly in urban areas.
• The link between urban environment characteristics and mental health requires deeper understanding.
• An interdisciplinary approach is needed to explore mitigating factors in urban settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To comprehensively understand associations between mental health and the urban residential environment.
• To investigate the mediating roles of physical activity, social life, noise, and air pollution.
• To generate insights for improving mental wellbeing in cities.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method approach combining quantitative and qualitative research in Brussels.
• Quantitative analysis of the Health Interview Survey (HIS) data, including objective and subjective environmental indicators.
• Qualitative data collection through walking interviews and stakeholder focus groups for triangulation.

Main Results:

• Associations between urban residential environment characteristics and mental health indicators identified.
• Mediating effects of physical activity, social life, noise, and air pollution assessed.
• Triangulated findings from quantitative and qualitative data provide a holistic view.

Conclusions:

• The urban residential environment significantly influences mental health.
• Understanding these complex associations is crucial for developing targeted public health interventions.
• Results will inform urban planning and policy for enhanced mental wellbeing in cities.