What does this research mean for the field?

Visiting blue spaces within walking distance is associated with a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms and higher happiness scores among older adults. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.CONFIRMATORY. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To determine whether visit frequency and activity types at blue spaces within walking distance correlate with depressive symptoms and happiness among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.

August 29, 2026BMC Public HealthOpen Access

Association between visits to blue spaces within walking distance and mental health among older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study

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Authors

KMKazuki Matsumoto YCYuru Chen YMYoko Matsuoka

Discussion

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Overview

Cross-sectional study finds blue space visits link to fewer depressive symptoms and higher happiness in older adults, suggesting accessible water features support late-life mental health.

Key Points

To determine whether visit frequency and activity types at blue spaces within walking distance correlate with depressive symptoms and happiness among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.
Conducted a cross-sectional study of 21,339 functionally independent adults aged ≥ 65 years across 69 Japanese municipalities from the 2022 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study.
Evaluated self-reported blue space visitation and activity types alongside mental health outcomes measured by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (score ≥ 5) and a happiness scale (0–10).
Employed modified Poisson and linear regression with multiple imputation, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, health-related covariates, and urbanicity.
Participants visiting blue spaces monthly (32.6% of the cohort) had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (prevalence ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74–0.84) and higher happiness scores (B: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.23–0.34) compared to non-visitors.
Dose–response analyses indicated that each additional monthly visit was linked to lower depressive symptom prevalence and increased happiness.
Engaging in walking for health, admiring scenery, socializing, and commuting at blue spaces were all independently associated with fewer depressive symptoms and greater happiness.

Cite This Study

Matsumoto et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a92995f8e5d7d1fc0c1149c https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29233-9

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August 29, 2026BMC Public HealthOpen Access

Association between visits to blue spaces within walking distance and mental health among older adults in Japan: a cross-sectional study from the Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

KMKazuki Matsumoto YCYuru Chen YMYoko Matsuoka

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Cross-sectional study finds blue space visits link to fewer depressive symptoms and higher happiness in older adults, suggesting accessible water features support late-life mental health.

Key Points

To determine whether visit frequency and activity types at blue spaces within walking distance correlate with depressive symptoms and happiness among community-dwelling older adults in Japan.
Conducted a cross-sectional study of 21,339 functionally independent adults aged ≥ 65 years across 69 Japanese municipalities from the 2022 Japan Gerontological Evaluation Study.
Evaluated self-reported blue space visitation and activity types alongside mental health outcomes measured by the 15-item Geriatric Depression Scale (score ≥ 5) and a happiness scale (0–10).
Employed modified Poisson and linear regression with multiple imputation, controlling for demographic, socioeconomic, health-related covariates, and urbanicity.
Participants visiting blue spaces monthly (32.6% of the cohort) had a lower prevalence of depressive symptoms (prevalence ratio: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.74–0.84) and higher happiness scores (B: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.23–0.34) compared to non-visitors.
Dose–response analyses indicated that each additional monthly visit was linked to lower depressive symptom prevalence and increased happiness.
Engaging in walking for health, admiring scenery, socializing, and commuting at blue spaces were all independently associated with fewer depressive symptoms and greater happiness.

Cite This Study

Matsumoto et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a92995f8e5d7d1fc0c1149c https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-026-29233-9

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark