Urban Green Space and Mental Health: Mediating Roles of Physical Activity and Social Cohesion

PurposeThis study investigates the relationship between urban green spaces (UGS) and residents' mental health in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with a focus on the mediating roles of social cohesion and physical activity.DesignMultilevel regression and mediation analysis with cross-sectional data were constructed.Setting10 UGS in Dhaka were selected based on spatial variation.SampleA total of 276 adult residents (response rate: 85.2%) were surveyed using quota sampling to ensure demographic diversity.MeasuresThe Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) was used for mental health assessment, validity scales for social cohesion and IPAQ-SF for physical activity. UGS accessibility and quality were evaluated using NDVI, GIS buffers, and on-site audits.AnalysisMultilevel linear regression and Sobel tests were employed to examine direct and mediated effects of UGS on mental health.ResultsUGS-level factors explained…