How do spatial characteristics influence well-being and mental health? Comparing the effect of objective and subjective characteristics at different spatial scales

Abstract

The impact of spatial characteristics on well-being has received increasing attention over the past decade. In most studies, however, the emphasis has been on either cognitive well-being (life satisfaction) or mental health. In addition, studies differ in terms of using objective or subjective characteristics, and in terms of the spatial scale of spatial variables (neighbourhood vs. the wider urban environment). This paper first discusses these differences from a theoretical point of view, and then compares model estimates based on different well-being conceptualisations and using objective and subjective spatial variables. To this end, a survey was held in the Utrecht province in the Netherlands that focused on this issue. We find that significant differences in cognitive and affective wellbeing and mental health are observed between neighbourhoods, which can be explained from both neighbourhood characteristics and personal characteristics of the inhabitants. We find that life satisfaction and affective well-being are more affected by subjective spatial variables, and mental health more by objective variables. In particular, life satisfaction and affective well-being are mostly affected by neighbourhood attractiveness and social safety, whereas mental health is positively associated with a newer housing stock. In general neighbourhood characteristics appear to have greater impact on different forms of well-being than accessibility variables on the urban level.