Teahouses as community third places: a grounded theory study of community-based health intervention for mental health promotion among urban older adults in China

Objectives: The research aims to address social isolation and psychological distress among retired urban older adults in China amid rapid population aging and its challenges to public health and social care systems, explore the role of traditional urban teahouses as accessible "third places" in alleviating these issues, and investigate how these teahouses foster emotional communities for older adults. Methods: A qualitative grounded theory study was conducted at the Dongmao Street Teahouse in Changsha. Data were collected through participant observation and in-depth interviews with 25 older adults (aged 65+). The data were analyzed using a three-stage coding process (open, axial, and selective) to develop a theoretical model. Results: The analysis revealed a core process of emotional community formation, driven by a Nostalgic Spatial Setting. This setting facilitates Routinized Social Practices, enables Deep Emotional Interactions (including life-story sharing and public discourse), and encourages Cultural Identity Performance. These interconnected processes culminate in the generation of Emotional Belonging, characterized by place attachment, stress relief, and strong group identity, marking the establishment of a supportive emotional community. However, the sustainability of this community is challenged by the tension between maintaining authenticity for older patrons and adapting for cultural transmission to younger generations. Conclusion: Urban teahouses can function as vital community-based assets for healthy aging. They provide low-cost, accessible environments that facilitate meaningful social engagement, strengthen social support networks, and enhance the mental wellbeing of older adults through organic emotional community building. Public health and urban planning initiatives should recognize and support such grassroots, culturally embedded social spaces as components of age-friendly communities.