Measuring the environmental quality in urban public spaces and investigating its relationship with the mental health of the elderly (Case study: neighborhoods in Region 4 of Rasht city)

Articles in Press

Document Type : Science - Research

Authors

1 Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

2 Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

3 Professor of Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran

Abstract

Abstract:
People's mental health is significantly affected by their living environment, and the World Health Organization emphasizes the importance of this issue. Not paying attention to the impact of the environment on the mental health of citizens, especially the elderly, can lead to mental and physical problems such as anxiety, stress, aggression and depression.The current research was carried out with the aim of measuring the environmental quality of public spaces at the level of neighborhoods in Region 4 of Rasht city and investigating its relationship with the general health (physical and mental) of the elderly.This research is applied in terms of purpose, descriptive-analytical in terms of method, and documentary and survey-based in terms of data collection methods.The statistical population of the research comprised elderly residents in District 4 of Rasht Municipality.The sample size was estimated to be 400 people using the Cochran formula.To assess the mental health of the elderly, the GHQ-28 questionnaire was used, and to evaluate the environmental quality of urban public spaces, a researcher-made questionnaire was employed. Additionally, data were analyzed using Pearson correlation and one-way ANOVA statistical tests.The research findings showed that between mental health variables with pedestrian-oriented variables with a coefficient(-0/589), security and comfort with a coefficient(-0/634), urban furniture with a coefficient(-0/636), environment quality and landscape with a coefficient(-0/620) and index of access to public spaces with coefficient(-0/657) there is a significant and inverse relationship and correlation.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Urban Ecology Researches

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 September 2024

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History

  • Receive Date: 25 October 2023
  • Revise Date: 05 July 2024
  • Accept Date: 13 September 2024

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