Physical environment as a catalyst for healthy aging: servicescape, motivation, and well-being in older adult park golf

Background/objective Active leisure activities like park golf are crucial for older adults' successful aging. Grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study investigated the structural relationships among perceived servicescape, facility image, satisfaction, motivation, and subjective well-being. Methods A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. Data from 264 older adult park golf participants in South Korea were analyzed using structural equation modeling. A phantom variable approach was employed to rigorously test multiple mediation effects. Results The physical servicescape (stimulus) positively impacted both perceived image and facility satisfaction (organism), which subsequently enhanced participation motivation (response). The structural model showed an acceptable fit ( χ 2 / df = 1.831, TLI = .904, CFI = .919, RMSEA = .092, SRMR = .074). Servicescape significantly predicted both image ( β = .838, p < .001) and satisfaction ( β = .699, p < .001), and image ( β = .447, p < .001) and satisfaction ( β = .299, p < .01) in turn predicted motivation, which strongly predicted subjective well-being ( β = .774, p < .001). Notably, perceived symbolic image influenced motivation more strongly than functional satisfaction. This voluntarily formed motivation then was associated with higher levels of participants' subjective well-being. Conclusion Beyond establishing excellent physical infrastructure, fostering an emotionally appealing facility image is vital for promoting continuous sports participation and genuine psychological well-being among older adults. These findings provide empirical evidence for infrastructure design and emotion-oriented marketing in age-friendly sports facilities. Ultimately, this research offers practical insights into utilizing leisure environments as public health interventions to promote successful aging.