The Impact of Community Environment on Depression among Elderly Residents: A Perspective from the “Environment-Psychology-Culture” Coevolution Model

BACKGROUND: Contrary to much of the existing research on elderly depression that primarily focuses on individual psychology while overlooking the interplay of natural environment and sociocultural factors, this study integrates the research subject into the "Environment-Psychology-Culture" coevolution model. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of how natural environments and social cultures intersectionally influence depression in elderly individuals. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Leveraging questionnaire data from 34 communities in Shanghai, alongside remote sensing and urban Points of Interest data, this study employs a multilevel model to decompose the community environment into several endogenous variables and examine the relationships among community environment, residential satisfaction, and elderly depression, while quantifying the varying effects across different social groups. RESULTS: The study reveals that (1) the community environment comprises three endogenous variables: environmental perception, neighborhood effects, and built environment; (2) a significant correlation exists between the community environment and geriatric depression, with residential satisfaction serving as a mitigating factor; and (3) the impact of the community environment on psychological health significantly varies across different income and residential groups. CONCLUSION: This study contributes to empirical research on community environments and mental health from an environmental psychology perspective, providing a scientific foundation for enhancing the mental health of elderly residents and fostering healthier communities.