The Influence Mechanism of the Community Subjectively Built Environment on the Physical and Mental Health of Older Adults

Abstract

In order to clarify the mechanism by which subjectively built environments impact the physical and mental health of older adults and promote the construction of “healthy aging” and “healthy cities,” this study develops a structural equation model based on questionnaire data from older adults in Hefei and constructs a mechanism of a “community subjectively built environment—physical and mental health” with leisure physical activities and social interaction activities as mediators. The results indicate that the specific combination of subjectively built environmental factors such as community safety and security, internal supportive living facilities, a green environment, a walking environment, and a degree of beautification significantly impacts the physical and mental health of older adults. Leisure physical activity and social interaction activities play different roles in mediation, forming two sets of action mechanisms: “community-built environment—leisure physical activity—physical health” and “community-built environment—social interaction activity—physical and mental health.”