Depression among middle-aged adults in Japan

The role of the built environment design

Bibliographic Data

ID21468209
AuthorsMohammad Javad Koohsari (0000-0001-9384-5456, Waseda University, corresponding author), Akitomo Yasunaga (0000-0002-9924-4042, Bunka Gakuen University), Gavin R Mccormack (0000-0003-0674-0838, Waseda University), Ai Shibata (0000-0002-0241-3103, University of Tsukuba), Kaori Ishii (0000-0003-0604-3389, Waseda University), Tomoki Nakaya (0000-0002-3827-1012, Tohoku University), Tomoya Hanibuchi (0000-0002-0447-7645, Tohoku University), Yukari Nagai (0000-0001-5378-9912, Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), Koichiro Oka (0000-0001-5571-042X, Waseda University)
Year2023
Volume231
Pages104651
Publication date2023-03-01
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueLandscape and Urban Planning (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0169-2046 • E-ISSN: 1872-6062
PublisherElsevier BV (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1016/j.landurbplan.2022.104651
OpenAlexW4311430857
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited70

There has been considerable interest in the effect of the built environment design on depressive symptoms. However, there are still few empirical studies on this topic, and there is a dearth of evidence among middle-aged adults. The present study examined the associations of urban design attributes with depressive symptoms among a sample of middle-aged adults in Japan. Cross-sectional data from a random sample of residents (40–64 years old) in two cities in Japan were examined. Depressive symptoms were assessed using the Centre for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) questionnaire. Two types of perceived and objective attributes of the built environment were measured. Covariate-adjusted multivariable linear and binary logistic models were used to estimate associations between perceived and objective built environment attributes and depressive symptoms. Among women, higher perceived access to public transport and total perceived walkability was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms. Furthermore, there was a significant association between higher safety from traffic and lower odds of having mild depressive symptoms (CES-D ≥ 16) in women. Among men, higher safety from crime was associated with a decrease in depressive symptoms and with lower odds of having mild depressive symptoms. Total perceived walkability was also associated with lower odds of having mild depressive symptoms in men. None of the objective built environment attributes were associated with depressive symptoms in women or men. Our findings provide empirical evidence that improving perceptions of neighbourhood walkability and, in particular, enhancing access to public transport and safety from crime and traffic are important for improving depressive symptoms among middle-aged men and women

Built environment · Cognition · Cross-sectional study · Depressive symptoms · Environmental health · Injury prevention · Logistic regression · Occupational safety and health · Odds · Odds ratio · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Poison control · Psychiatry · Public health · Suicide prevention · Walkability · Demography · Human Factors and Ergonomics · Medicine · Noise Effects and Management · Psychology · Urban Green Space and Health · Urban Transport and Accessibility

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