The Effect of Physical Residential Environment on Depression in Middle-aged Adults

South Korea's rapid economic growth has exacerbated wealth disparities in urban housing, leading to persistent relative inequality in housing environments. Middle-aged adults, experiencing this life stage as a period of maturity, have endured prolonged exposure to housing issues, resulting in increased mental distress. However, institutional support to address these issues remains insufficient. This study aims to examine the physical housing factors that influence depression among middle-aged adults and to identify directions for housing welfare policies. To achieve this, the study investigates the effects of housing area, essential facilities, and structural and environmental quality on depression levels in middle-aged adults. Hypotheses were established and tested using regression analysis. The results show significant support for two hypotheses: “A smaller housing area is associated with higher depression levels among middle-aged adults” and “Inadequate structural quality and environmental conditions correlate with increased depression in this demographic.” Based on these findings, the study discusses potential directions for housing welfare policy improvements and suggests areas for future research.