Association Between Neighborhood Built Environment and Mental Health: Differences Between Older Adults With and Without Restricted Mobility

The mobility restrictions faced by older adults pose significant challenges to understanding the association between the neighborhood built environment and their mental health. Neglecting the role of restricted mobility hinders a comprehensive analysis of how the built environment impacts older adults’ mental health. Furthermore, the differences in this association between older adults with and without restricted mobility remain unclear. Based on data from 1405 adults aged 60 and older in Hangzhou, China, this study explored the association between the neighborhood built environment and the mental health of older adults using multivariable linear regression, with multivariable logistic regression being employed for the sensitivity analysis. The results indicated that access to public canteens and outdoor fitness spaces were significantly positively associated with the mental health of older adults. Notably, the protective effect of outdoor fitness spaces was significant for older adults with restricted mobility, while the supportive effect of public canteens was significant for those without restricted mobility. This study demonstrated an association between the neighborhood built environment and mental health among older adults, highlighting differences in this effect between those with and without restricted mobility. These insights underscore the necessity of designing sustainable and inclusive neighborhoods that cater to the varied needs of older adults, ultimately fostering environments that promote healthy and active aging.