Relationship between urban green space and mental health in older adults: mediating role of relative deprivation, physical activity, and social trust
View abstract on PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.Urban green spaces positively impact older adults' mental health by encouraging physical activity and reducing relative deprivation. Improving green space accessibility and quality is key to enhancing well-being in aging populations.
Area Of Science
- Environmental Psychology
- Gerontology
- Urban Planning
Background
- Global aging populations necessitate improved mental health strategies for older adults.
- Urban green spaces are crucial environmental factors linked to the mental well-being of the elderly.
- Understanding the mechanisms connecting green space and older adult mental health is vital.
Purpose Of The Study
- To analyze the influence of urban green spaces on older adults' mental health.
- To investigate the mediating roles of relative deprivation, physical activity, and social trust.
- To provide evidence-based recommendations for enhancing green space benefits.
Main Methods
- Utilized data from the 2018 China Labor Dynamics Survey.
- Employed a multi-level structural equation model.
- Examined mediating pathways between urban green space and mental health.
Main Results
- A significant positive correlation was found between urban green space and older adults' mental health.
- Relative deprivation and physical activity demonstrated mediating effects in this relationship.
- Social trust was not found to be a significant mediator in this specific model.
Conclusions
- Increasing urban green spaces can improve older adults' mental health by providing equitable access and reducing social comparison.
- Promoting physical activity within green spaces is a key strategy for enhancing mental well-being.
- Enhancing green space accessibility, fairness, and quality is recommended to maximize positive psychological impacts on the aging population.
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