Outdoor recreational activities and mental well-being of geriatric people in Bangladesh: structural equation modelling

The mental health well-being of elderly individuals in Bangladesh is often neglected at home and nationally. Non-medical interventions become a crucial mental health solution for the population, with outdoor recreational activities, identified as an influential determinants. This study, conducted in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh, aims to explore the relationship between outdoor recreational activities and mental well-being, utilizing the Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) approach. Interviewing 514 older adults, the study considered four dimensions: park activities, social involvement, sports participation, and outdoor hobbies and tourism. The final model indicates that all four dimensions significantly and positively impact the mental well-being of elderly individuals, with sports participation showing the greatest positive effect. Together, these dimensions account for 75.12% of the variance in mental well-being. The nature of the relationship suggests that an increase in outdoor recreational activity corresponds to improved mental well-being. This paper reinforces the idea that engagement in outdoor activities contributes to positive mental health outcomes, aligning with the new physical activity guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) that emphasize the positive relationship between outdoor recreations and life satisfaction. This study strongly recommends people should actively engage in outdoor recreational activities. Additionally, it urges government and private organizations to prioritize the maintenance of public open spaces as essential contributors to the mental well-being of the older population.