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Perceived Social Support Mediates the Relationship between Use of Greenspace and Geriatric Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of South-Italian Older Adults

Author

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  • Elisabetta Ricciardi

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Giuseppina Spano

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Luigi Tinella

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Antonella Lopez

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy
    Faculty of Law, Giustino Fortunato University, 82100 Benevento, Italy)

  • Carmine Clemente

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Andrea Bosco

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy)

  • Alessandro Oronzo Caffò

    (Department of Educational Sciences, Psychology, Communication, University of Studies of Bari, 70122 Bari, Italy)

Abstract

A growing body of evidence is suggestive for the beneficial role of contact with greenspace (e.g., use of greenspace, visual access to greenspace, etc.) on mental health (e.g., depression, anxiety, etc.). In addition, several studies have pointed out the benefits of social support and social interaction on psychological wellbeing. Even if evidence on the association between contact with greenspace and perceived social support were mixed, it was supposed that the use of greenspace could enhance social interactions and perceived social support, especially among older adults. The present study aims to explore the effect of use of greenspace on geriatric depression in a sample of South-Italian older adults and the mediating role of perceived social support in this association. A structural equation model was tested in a sample of 454 older adults (60–90 years old) residing in the Metropolitan Area of Bari, Apulia. The fit indices revealed the goodness of fit of the model (CFI = 0.934; TLI = 0.900; IFI = 0.911; NFI = 0.935; RMSEA = 0.074; SRMR = 0.056). Results showed that the use of greenspace was inversely associated with geriatric depression through perceived social support. These findings underlined the relevance of perceived social support on the pathway linking use of greenspace and geriatric depressive symptoms. This evidence may be useful to policymakers to plan interventions for promoting physical access to greenspace and social participation in an age-friendly city framework.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisabetta Ricciardi & Giuseppina Spano & Luigi Tinella & Antonella Lopez & Carmine Clemente & Andrea Bosco & Alessandro Oronzo Caffò, 2023. "Perceived Social Support Mediates the Relationship between Use of Greenspace and Geriatric Depression: A Cross-Sectional Study in a Sample of South-Italian Older Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(8), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:8:p:5540-:d:1125339
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    2. Elisabetta Ricciardi & Giuseppina Spano & Antonella Lopez & Luigi Tinella & Carmine Clemente & Giuseppe Elia & Payam Dadvand & Giovanni Sanesi & Andrea Bosco & Alessandro Oronzo Caffò, 2022. "Long-Term Exposure to Greenspace and Cognitive Function during the Lifespan: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-24, September.
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    7. Yijun Zhang & Suzanne Mavoa & Jinfeng Zhao & Deborah Raphael & Melody Smith, 2020. "The Association between Green Space and Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-26, September.
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    1. Luigi Tinella & Andrea Bosco & Sergio Traficante & Rosa Napoletano & Elisabetta Ricciardi & Giuseppina Spano & Antonella Lopez & Giovanni Sanesi & Angela Stefania Bergantino & Alessandro Oronzo Caffò, 2023. "Fostering an Age-Friendly Sustainable Transport System: A Psychological Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-15, September.

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