PERCEIVED RESTORATIVENESS BETWEEN URBAN GREEN SPACE QUALITY AND PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY IN LAHORE, PAKISTAN

Abstract

Background: Rapid urbanization in South Asian cities has led to a concerning reduction in accessible green spaces, with potential consequences for urban residents' mental health. While previous research has established associations between urban green spaces and psychological well-being, the mechanisms underlying this relationship remain insufficiently understood, particularly in non-Western urban contexts.

Objective: This study investigates whether perceived restorativeness exhibits a significant statistical indirect effect in the relationship between perceived urban green space quality and psychological well-being among visitors to urban parks in Lahore, Pakistan.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 450 park visitors recruited from eight major urban parks. Data were collected using validated instruments: a perceived urban green space quality scale, the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS-11), and the Short Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (SWEMWBS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized indirect effect model.

Results: Perceived urban green space quality demonstrated a significant positive association with psychological well-being (β = 0.31, p < 0.001). Perceived restorativeness showed a significant indirect effect (β = 0.19, p < 0.001), accounting for approximately 38% of the total effect.

Conclusion: Perceived restorativeness represents a significant statistical pathway consistent with the hypothesis that green space quality is positively associated with psychological well-being. These findings support the applicability of Attention Restoration Theory in South Asian urban settings, though causal conclusions are limited by the cross-sectional design. The results underscore the importance of designing parks that maximize restorative potential for frequent visitors.