JAUE2024-028: Association of Residential Environment with Depression and Cognition in Chinese Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Population Based Study

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between the residential environment and depression and cognitive impairment among older adults in China, guided by environmental psychology. As China faces rapid urbanization and an aging population, understanding how physical residential conditions impact mental health is increasingly crucial. The study employed data from the CLASS to assess the prevalence of depression and cognitive impairment among 9842 older adults aged 60 years or older in China. The findings revealed that 21.0% exhibited depressive symptoms and 28.9% had cognitive impairment. Logistic regression analyses demonstrated a significant association between several residential environmental factors and mental health outcomes. This study makes a novel theoretical contribution by identifying key environmental factors that influence the well-being of older adults, addressing a gap in the literature on the impact of physical living conditions on their mental health. The results have practical implications for urban planning and public health policies, suggesting that targeted interventions in the residential environment could improve the quality of life for older adults.