Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan

Objective: Depression among older adults is associated with cognitive function decline and increased risk of premature mortality. Numerous studies have reported associations between residential environments and depression. However, few have investigated the association between home entrance characte...

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Main Authors: Hiroaki Yoshida, Masamichi Hanazato, Yoko Matsuoka, Yu-Ru Chen, Aiko Eguchi, Yusuke Mizuno, Hiroki Suzuki
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-08-01
Series:Preventive Medicine Reports
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Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525001871
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author Hiroaki Yoshida
Masamichi Hanazato
Yoko Matsuoka
Yu-Ru Chen
Aiko Eguchi
Yusuke Mizuno
Hiroki Suzuki
author_facet Hiroaki Yoshida
Masamichi Hanazato
Yoko Matsuoka
Yu-Ru Chen
Aiko Eguchi
Yusuke Mizuno
Hiroki Suzuki
author_sort Hiroaki Yoshida
collection DOAJ
description Objective: Depression among older adults is associated with cognitive function decline and increased risk of premature mortality. Numerous studies have reported associations between residential environments and depression. However, few have investigated the association between home entrance characteristics and depression. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the association between entrance characteristics and depression among older adults. Methods: A cohort study was conducted among Japanese adults aged 65 years and older using data collected in January 2022 and October 2023. The analysis included 2046 individuals (mean age: 74.8 ± 6.2 years) in one ward in Tokyo. Depression in 2023 was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. Explanatory variables were entrance area characteristics in 2023. Modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of the 2046 participants, 458 (22.4 %) were classified as depressed. Compared with participants living in homes without plants or flowers near the entrance, those living with plants were associated with lower prevalence of depression (prevalence ratio: 0.84; 95 % CI: 0.71–0.98). Stratified analysis by housing type showed that in apartment buildings, prevalence ratio of depression among those with plants or flowers was 0.72 (95 % CI: 0.52–0.99). However, no significant association was observed among residents of detached houses (prevalence ratio: 0.85; 95 % CI: 0.70–1.03). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of considering residential entrance features to support the mental health of older adults. Entrance designs and management systems that allow the placement of plants and flowers can help reduce depression among older adults.
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spelling doaj-art-91fb914f5ee946e6a8bcfd3fb0eef3cf2025-08-20T02:40:04ZengElsevierPreventive Medicine Reports2211-33552025-08-015610314810.1016/j.pmedr.2025.103148Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in JapanHiroaki Yoshida0Masamichi Hanazato1Yoko Matsuoka2Yu-Ru Chen3Aiko Eguchi4Yusuke Mizuno5Hiroki Suzuki6Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, JapanCenter for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, Japan; Design Research Institute, Chiba University, 1-19-1, Bunka, Sumida-ku, Tokyo 131-0044, Japan; Corresponding author at: Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 263-8522, Japan.Center for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, JapanCenter for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, JapanCenter for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, JapanCenter for Preventive Medical Sciences, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, JapanGraduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University, 1-33, Yayoicho, Inage-ku, Chiba, Chiba 263-8522, JapanObjective: Depression among older adults is associated with cognitive function decline and increased risk of premature mortality. Numerous studies have reported associations between residential environments and depression. However, few have investigated the association between home entrance characteristics and depression. Therefore, this study aims to clarify the association between entrance characteristics and depression among older adults. Methods: A cohort study was conducted among Japanese adults aged 65 years and older using data collected in January 2022 and October 2023. The analysis included 2046 individuals (mean age: 74.8 ± 6.2 years) in one ward in Tokyo. Depression in 2023 was assessed using the Geriatric Depression Scale-15. Explanatory variables were entrance area characteristics in 2023. Modified Poisson regression was performed to estimate prevalence ratios and 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Results: Of the 2046 participants, 458 (22.4 %) were classified as depressed. Compared with participants living in homes without plants or flowers near the entrance, those living with plants were associated with lower prevalence of depression (prevalence ratio: 0.84; 95 % CI: 0.71–0.98). Stratified analysis by housing type showed that in apartment buildings, prevalence ratio of depression among those with plants or flowers was 0.72 (95 % CI: 0.52–0.99). However, no significant association was observed among residents of detached houses (prevalence ratio: 0.85; 95 % CI: 0.70–1.03). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the importance of considering residential entrance features to support the mental health of older adults. Entrance designs and management systems that allow the placement of plants and flowers can help reduce depression among older adults.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525001871Entrance porchDepressionMental healthBuilt environmentOlder adultsFront porch
spellingShingle Hiroaki Yoshida
Masamichi Hanazato
Yoko Matsuoka
Yu-Ru Chen
Aiko Eguchi
Yusuke Mizuno
Hiroki Suzuki
Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan
Preventive Medicine Reports
Entrance porch
Depression
Mental health
Built environment
Older adults
Front porch
title Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan
title_full Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan
title_fullStr Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan
title_full_unstemmed Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan
title_short Association between home entrance characteristics and depression: A cross-sectional study of community-dwelling older adults in Japan
title_sort association between home entrance characteristics and depression a cross sectional study of community dwelling older adults in japan
topic Entrance porch
Depression
Mental health
Built environment
Older adults
Front porch
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2211335525001871
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