Life space

<b>O</b><b>bjectives:</b> The objective was to investigate the
mechanisms through which physical functions mediates, and social relationships
moderate, the association between life space and mental health among
community-dwelling older adults in China.

<b>Methods:</b> We conducted a cross-sectional analysis
using mediated analysis data from Life Spaces, involving 1,136 older people
aged 60 and over in Hefei, Anhui Province, China. The study collected data
through structured household interviews. The questionnaire assessed a number of
domains including life space, cognitive functions, depressive symptoms,
physical functions, social network and social support. Confounding factors such
as frequency of movement are taken into account.

<b>Results: </b>The proportion of elderly individuals in the community experiencing
restricted life space was 33.3%. The life space of older adults showed a
positive correlation with cognitive functioning (r = 0.207, P &lt; 0.05) and a
negative correlation with depressive symptoms (r = -0.122, P &lt; 0.05).
Furthermore, physical functioning served as an indirect mediator of the relationship
between life space and mental health, accounting for mediating effects of
34.62% and 20%, respectively. The indirect effects were moderated by the influence of social
relationships.

<b>Conclusions: </b>In the association between life space and mental health among older
Chinese adults, physical functioning and social relationships may serve as
potential mediators and moderators. This suggests that community health workers
or clinical staff should focus on the mobility of life spaces, the enhancement
of physical functioning, and the moderation of social relationships when aiming
to improve the mental health of older adults.