Investigating the interplay between senior-friendly park features, perceived greenness, restorativeness, and well-being in older adults

Abstract

This study investigated the relationships among senior-friendly park features, perceived greenness, perceived restorativeness, and psychological well-being among older adults in Taichung City. A total of 853 participants aged 55 and above comprised the sample, and data were collected from selected neighborhood parks through on-site questionnaires that emphasized evaluating environmental quality based on established guidelines for senior-friendly parks. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the relationships among the variables. The findings revealed significant positive influences of senior-friendly features on perceived greenness and perceived restorativeness. Additionally, perceived greenness exhibited a significantly positive impact on perceived restorativeness but did not significantly influence psychological well-being. Perceived restorativeness, in turn, positively influenced psychological well-being. Notably, nature and social support were identified as the most influential aspects of senior-friendly features, while fascination emerged as the most influential dimension of perceived restorativeness. Furthermore, this study explored the mediating role of perceived greenness in the relationship between senior-friendly features and perceived restorativeness. The results confirmed this mediating effect, supporting the hypothesis that perceived greenness serves as a perceptual bridge that enhances the restorative quality of the environment. This study contributes valuable insights into the design of age-friendly parks, offering evidence-based recommendations for fostering well-being among older individuals living in urban settings.