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The Effects of Public Open Space on Older People’s Well-Being: From Neighborhood Social Cohesion to Place Dependence

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  • Shi Chen

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yi Sun

    (Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

  • Bo Kyong Seo

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, Centre for Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

This quantitative study examines the effects of Public Open Space (POS) on older people’s well-being and examines the roles of neighborhood social cohesion (NSC) and place dependence (PD) as series buffers. A questionnaire survey of 501 people aged 65 and over was conducted in various communities of Hong Kong. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyze the pathways connecting POS and well-being. A multigroup analysis examined differences in the POS–well-being associations between the young-old (aged 65 to 75, n = 166) and old-old group (aged 76 to 95, n = 166). Results show that the association between POS and emotional well-being was stronger than social and psychological well-being. POS promotes three facets of well-being through developing NSC and, subsequently, PD. Multigroup analysis results suggest that the pathway from POS to emotional well-being via NSC is stronger for the old-old group; POS is more important for psychological well-being for the young-old group. This study highlights that the quality of POS, including attractive natural elements, various amenities, and sufficient space for social interactions, is essential for making relationship-rich and health-promotive urban environments.

Suggested Citation

  • Shi Chen & Yi Sun & Bo Kyong Seo, 2022. "The Effects of Public Open Space on Older People’s Well-Being: From Neighborhood Social Cohesion to Place Dependence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-16, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:16170-:d:992321
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