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Neighbourhood influences on mental health in master planned estates: a qualitative study of resident perspectives
Author(s) -
Francis Jacinta,
GilesCorti Billie,
Wood Lisa,
Knuiman Matthew
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he14036
Subject(s) - mental health , neighbourhood (mathematics) , qualitative research , metropolitan area , focus group , gerontology , sense of community , environmental health , psychology , medicine , sociology , social psychology , psychiatry , social science , mathematical analysis , mathematics , pathology , anthropology
Issues addressed Neighbourhood characteristics have been linked to a range of health outcomes, including mental health. Despite the growth of master planned estates (MPEs) within Australia, few studies have investigated the physical and social correlates of mental health in residents of new housing developments. Methods This study aimed to identify the facilitators of, and barriers to, mentally healthy neighbourhoods using focus groups with residents of MPEs in metropolitan Perth, Western Australia. Focus group interviews were analysed using qualitative research software package QSR NVivo. Results an. Conclusions Results suggest that mental health is strongly influenced by a sense of community and security, as well as an aesthetically pleasing environment. Residents of MPEs may experience a strong sense of community due to similarities in life‐stage and the community building efforts of property developers. Expanding population size, social exclusion, and insufficient services may negatively affect the mental health of residents in MPEs. So what? Identifying correlates of mentally healthy neighbourhoods may help urban planners design residential areas that promote healthy living.