Background and Objective: Mental health represents a fundamental dimension of women's overall well-being and is deeply influenced by various individual and environmental factors. Among these, access to urban public spaces plays a significant role in shaping women’s psychological and emotional experiences in cities. Public spaces—such as parks, plazas, and green areas—can provide opportunities for social interaction, relaxation, physical activity, and a sense of safety, all of which contribute to improved mental health. This study aims to investigate the relationship between access to urban public spaces and women's mental health in Ardabil, Iran, by examining multiple influencing dimensions.
Methods: This applied study uses a descriptive-analytical research design. Data were collected from a sample of 400 women in Ardabil through a structured questionnaire, using a systematic random sampling method. The instrument included 58 items across six core indicators: physical-spatial features, socio-cultural dimensions, perceived safety, access to parks, mental health status, and depression levels. Data analysis was performed using one-sample t-tests in SPSS software and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) in AMOS to explore relationships between variables.
Results and Conclusion: The results indicated that physical-spatial (mean = 3.17) and socio-cultural (mean = 3.05) components were in relatively favorable condition. The SEM path analysis demonstrated that the physical-spatial factor (β = 0.89) exerted the most significant effect on improving urban space quality. Environmental safety, socio-cultural characteristics, access to parks, mental health, and depression followed in descending order of impact. The study underscores the importance of inclusive urban design and planning, suggesting that enhancing physical and environmental aspects of public spaces can foster women's presence in cities and significantly support their mental well-being.