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The Impact of the Environment on the Quality of Life and the Mediating Effects of Sleep and Stress

Author

Listed:
  • Katherine Ka Pik Chang

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Frances Kam Yuet Wong

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Ka Long Chan

    (Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Fiona Wong

    (School of Optometry, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Hung Chak Ho

    (Department of Urban Planning and Design, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong, China)

  • Man Sing Wong

    (Department of Land Surveying and Geo-Informatics, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Yuen Shan Ho

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • John Wai Man Yuen

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Judy Yuen-man Siu

    (Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

  • Lin Yang

    (School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China)

Abstract

(1) Background : Environment is an independent factor that affects one’s quality of life (QoL), where studies suggest that health behaviours also affect one’s quality of life. The purpose of the present study was to examine the association between environmental conditions and QoL and how individual health behaviours affect this association. (2) Methods : Participants aged 20 or above were recruited from 11 tertiary planning units in the central part of Kowloon. These tertiary planning units were selected as they represented the overall living environment in Hong Kong, with a mix of the poorer urban areas alongside relatively affluent districts. A mediation analysis was implemented using multiple linear regressions to examine the effects of environmental conditions on QoL. (3) Results : Of the 607 eligible participants included for analysis, 390 were female and 217 were male, with a mean age of 47.4 years. Living within 500 m of a green space area had benefits on the physical aspect of QoL and physical activity but no effect on the psychological aspect of QoL. Moderate satisfaction with public spaces affected QoL positively. In contrast, less satisfaction with public spaces affected QoL negatively in both physical and psychological aspects through the mediating effect of stress. Poor environmental quality affected all domains of QoL negatively through the mediating effects of increased stress and poor sleep. (4) Conclusions : Environment is an important factor that affects individuals’ overall well-being. The interaction between environmental conditions and individual variables, especially perceived stress and sleep, is extremely important when assessing its impact on QoL. The findings of this study support the importance of individual stress and sleep in mediating the relationship between the environment and QoL for health. Further studies should be conducted to include objective measurements, such as those of cortisol levels for stress and physical fitness tests.

Suggested Citation

  • Katherine Ka Pik Chang & Frances Kam Yuet Wong & Ka Long Chan & Fiona Wong & Hung Chak Ho & Man Sing Wong & Yuen Shan Ho & John Wai Man Yuen & Judy Yuen-man Siu & Lin Yang, 2020. "The Impact of the Environment on the Quality of Life and the Mediating Effects of Sleep and Stress," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(22), pages 1-17, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:22:p:8529-:d:446550
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhonghua Gou & Xiaohuan Xie & Yi Lu & Maryam Khoshbakht, 2018. "Quality of Life (QoL) Survey in Hong Kong: Understanding the Importance of Housing Environment and Needs of Residents from Different Housing Sectors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    2. The Whoqol Group, 1998. "The World Health Organization quality of life assessment (WHOQOL): Development and general psychometric properties," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 46(12), pages 1569-1585, June.
    3. Cho, Youngtae & Park, Gil-Sung & Echevarria-Cruz, Samuel, 2005. "Perceived neighborhood characteristics and the health of adult Koreans," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 60(6), pages 1285-1297, March.
    4. Yu-Yu Hsiao & Chia-Huei Wu & Grace Yao, 2014. "Convergent and Discriminant Validity of the WHOQOL-BREF Using a Multitrait-Multimethod Approach," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 116(3), pages 971-988, May.
    5. de Vries, Sjerp & van Dillen, Sonja M.E. & Groenewegen, Peter P. & Spreeuwenberg, Peter, 2013. "Streetscape greenery and health: Stress, social cohesion and physical activity as mediators," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 26-33.
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    1. Liu, Yang & Kwan, Mei-Po & Wong, Man Sing & Yu, Changda, 2023. "Current methods for evaluating people's exposure to green space: A scoping review," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    2. Yi Hua & Zhi Qiu & Wenjing Luo & Yue Wang & Zhu Wang, 2021. "Correlation between Elderly Migrants’ Needs and Environmental Adaptability: A Discussion Based on Human Urbanization Features," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-16, May.
    3. Jinheum Kim & Eunjeong Cha, 2022. "Effect of Perceived Stress on Health-Related Quality of Life among Primary Caregiving Spouses of Patients with Severe Dementia: The Mediating Role of Depression and Sleep Quality," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-11, June.
    4. Andy Felix Jităreanu & Mioara Mihăilă & Ciprian-Ionel Alecu & Alexandru-Dragoș Robu & Gabriela Ignat & Carmen Luiza Costuleanu, 2022. "The Relationship between Environmental Factors, Satisfaction with Life, and Ecological Education: An Impact Analysis from a Sustainability Pillars Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-25, August.

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