A sociological analysis of the relationship between mental health and the built environment in Malta

Abstract

In Malta, there are a number of social voices highlighting the effect of the built environment as a social determinant of health, effecting both the physical and mental health. In this study, the relationship between the built environment and mental health in Malta is analysed in effort to answer the research question: How do people perceive the impact of the surrounding built environment on their mental health? A questionnaire joining two pre-validated tools were used and 196 responses reflecting a confidence interval of 95% and a margin of error of 7% were collected and analysed. The majority note too much construction ongoing, on the islands with a decline in blue/green open spaces. An ever growing need to get away from construction is seen to be shared amongst many.