Residential factors associated with mental health in United States Veterans, Air Force military, and Air Force employees

Individuals in Westernized countries spend most of their time at indoors. However, exploration of residential building factors that may influence occupants’ mental health is limited in scientific literature. The purpose of this study was to explore investigator’s perceived areas of importance in residences to mental health via survey methods. To that end, we administered the Housing, Occupancy, Materials, and Environment (HOME) survey to assess factors that may influence mental health to those working in the United States (US) Air Force (n=230) or past military members, US Veterans (n=180). Self-reported mental health surveys were also administered to the Air Force (RAND 36-Item Short-Form) and Veterans (36-Item Short-Form survey version 2, Patient Health Questionnaire-9). The residential question that correlated to the most mental health measures for both groups was an ability to adjust indoor climate, with a positive correlation. Other correlations between residential questions and health scores across the two groups were dissimilar, indicating the residential factors of importance to mental health may be variable across an individual’s life. For example, multiple positive correlations between mental health measures and nature in the older Veteran group support robust previous results on the importance of nature to older adults. Overall, this study provides a basis for future research and targeted clinical interventions that can quantify and positively impact the home environment and improve mental health outcomes. • Over 400 individuals were administered a survey focused on residential factors potentially important to mental health • The residential factor that correlated to the most mental health survey outcomes was the ability to adjust one’s indoor climate with improved control resulting in better outcomes • Residential factors of importance to mental health were different between working and non-working individuals indicating a life-course perspective would be valuable in this field of study