چكيده لاتين
The growing trend of migration and urban population increase in most developing countries has provided the ground for fundamental changes in living environments. The advancement of technology, the expansion of industrial units, and mechanized lifestyles have not only altered the environment and human way of life but have also affected the mutual health of human beings and their surroundings. In the contemporary era, psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression rank among the leading causes of physical disability and premature death. The environment in its broad sense, and environmental factors in particular, are of great significance due to their profound influence on human behavior and mental health. Thus, the impact of environmental conditions as the context of human life and activities is inevitable. Neglecting environmental psychology and its consequences can, in certain cases, have highly concerning effects on individuals’ mental states and dispositions.In this regard, the concept of sense of place, defined as the mental perception and conscious or semi-conscious emotions of individuals toward their environment, plays a crucial role. It establishes an inner connection between the person and the environment, linking one’s perceptions and feelings with the semantic context of the surroundings. In other words, the living environment may act protectively against mental disorders or, conversely, as a catalyst for their emergence. For instance, it can either increase or decrease stress levels, thereby influencing mental well-being or contributing to disorders such as anxiety. Since a healthy environment is considered both a basic human need and an indicator of sustainable living, fundamental planning to enhance environmental factors affecting mental health in the design of living spaces is of critical importance.The present study is of a fundamental–developmental nature, conducted with a descriptive–comparative approach. In terms of general strategy, it employs a mixed-method design (quantitative and qualitative), with data collected through fieldwork and library research. The main objective is to define and evaluate indicators of a model assessing the role of environmental factors in citizens’ mental health. For this purpose, Districts 6 and 7 of Isfahan city were selected as case studies. The research population consisted of the residents of these districts, and based on Cochran’s formula, a sample size of 408 individuals was determined. Data were collected using the standardized SCL-90 questionnaire and a researcher-made questionnaire based on a Likert scale. Content validity was confirmed, and reliability was tested using Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of 0.989. Data analysis was performed with SPSS software, applying factor analysis and structural equation modeling.The findings revealed a significant correlation between environmental factors and components of citizens’ mental health. Furthermore, the prioritization of effective factors indicated the importance of natural and ecological aspects, economic factors, physical conditions (such as deteriorated fabrics and unsafe urban spaces), infrastructure and accessibility, welfare and comfort, urban lifestyle patterns, and per capita allocations of cultural, educational, health, recreational, and green spaces. Additionally, improving citizens’ mental health is closely tied to enhancing comfort in living environments and reducing factors that contribute to psychological distress
