Beyond Diversity: Gender-Specific Associations Between Community Leisure Facilities, Social Networks, and Mental Health of Chinese Older Adults

Background/Objectives: Empirical research exploring the linkages between community leisure facility diversity, distinct facility categories, and mental health outcomes among older populations remains scarce, especially regarding gender-specific variations. Methods: Grounded in social capital theory, this study establishes an analytical framework to unpack the underlying mechanisms of these relationships. Based on a sample of 10,270 adults aged 60 and older drawn from the 2023 CLASS, structural equation modeling is applied to investigate the correlational patterns, indirect transmission pathways, and gender heterogeneity embedded in these associations. Results: The results indicate that community leisure facility diversity is positively correlated with better mental health status among older adults, with a total association coefficient of 0.052. Social networks partially mediate this correlational pattern, with an indirect association value of 0.010. Five facility categories exhibit significant positive total associations with mental health, namely senior activity rooms (0.038), fitness centers (0.053), chess and card rooms (0.031), libraries (0.028), and community canteens (0.043), while their indirect association pathways present divergent features. Notably, the linkages between community leisure facilities and mental health are more pronounced for older men. Five facility types show significant positive associations with male mental health, whereas for older women, only senior activity rooms and fitness centers yield significant correlational patterns. Conclusions: These findings suggest that community leisure facility planning can be optimized by shifting from simple quantity expansion to refined, targeted provision with gender-sensitive design. Adopting gender-informed strategies, particularly prioritizing socially supportive facilities and reducing usage barriers for older women, offers a valuable direction for building age-friendly communities and promoting healthy aging.