Investigating the Relationship between Different Functions of Urban Parks with Mental Health of the Elderly

Investigating the Relationship between Different Functions of Urban Parks with Mental Health of the Elderly Rostam Saberifar1 1. Associate Professor of Urban Planning, Department of Urban Planning, Faculty of Social Sciences, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Iran, Mashhad, Blvd. Moallem, Moallem 71,Email: saberifar@yahoo.com , Tel: 009851386839000 Abstract: Background & Objectives: Providing suitable urban spaces, especially open and natural spaces has an undeniable effect on reaching health-based cities and especially providing mental health for the elderly. To this end, the present study was conducted with the aim of assessing these spaces in Mashhad. Methods: This descriptive-analytic cross- sectional study was conducted on 480 elderly citizens selected through random stratified sampling from 13 districts of Mashhad/ Iran in summer 2018. Data collection tools included Goldberg’s General Health Questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire for functions of parks. Data analysis was done through SPSS 2019 software and using one-way analysis of variance, t- test as well as Pearson correlation test. Results: Mental health of subjects showed significant statistical relationship with functions of empowerment, preventing stress and anxiety, and air supply for parks and also with variables of ethnicity, employment status, marital status, income, and education. However, mental health of subjects did not show significant relationship with the functions of providing value and entertainment in parks as well as their age, insurance coverage, gender, place of birth, and the number of children. Conclusion: Regarding the undeniable role of parks in mental and physical health of the elderly, policymakers in the health sector and urban planning should consider the specific needs of this group in designing these spaces, including the removal of up and downs of the paths and the design of special spaces for doing light exercises, fences alongside sloping paths and meeting places for discussion outside of traffic routes. Key­words: Health-based city, Green spaces, Mental health, Urban parks, Elderly ­Citation: Saberifar R. The Relationship of Different Functions of Urban Parks with Mental Health of the Elderly. Journal of Health Based Research 2018; 4(3): 289-300. [In Persian]