Impact of urban green spaces on mental restoration in older adults: a perspective based on subjective perception.

Introduction: This study investigates the impact of urban green spaces (UGSs) on mental restoration among older adults. It contributes to the development of age-friendly urban green spaces that are more inclusive and promote health. Materials and methods: Data were collected via surveys conducted in five distinct UGSs in Nanjing, China. The Perceived Sensory Dimensions (PSDs) were used to evaluate the qualities of these green spaces, while the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) assessed older adults' mental restoration. Multivariate linear regression analyses were conducted to examine the effects of UGS quality on mental restoration in older adults. Results: Four dimensions of the PSDs-culture, social, rich in species, and serene-had a positive effect on mental restoration in older adults. Gender-specific analysis showed that culture, rich in species and serene, positively impacted mental restoration in both genders. Conversely, the social dimension had a positive effect on older men, while refuge positively affected older women. Age-specific analysis showed that culture, social, and serene positively influenced mental restoration among participants aged 60-79 years, while species richness positively influenced mental restoration among those aged 60-69 years. Conclusion: Our findings reveal that specific environmental features of UGSs positively influence mental restoration in older adults. Moreover, the effects of environmental features on mental restoration varied by age and gender. Based on these findings, we propose four key considerations for designing UGSs.