Physical factors affecting the design of inpatient spaces with emphasis on reducing patients' depression: A path analysis

Man needs a space that protects him from the effects of the environment. This space includes physical, social and psychological aspects, and the proper design of the physical environment inpatients should be inspiring and spirit-giving to greatly affect the reduction of patients' depression. The purpose of this research was to provide a model for designing inpatient spaces based on reducing patients' depression.

This was a mixed methods study (quantitative-qualitative) which was completed in June 2021. The extraction of factors in reducing depression derived from the following sources. 1. The literature review, 2. Experts’ opinion, and 3. A user survey and distribution of a questionnaire among 205 hospitalized patients. Then a path analysis was performed to suggest a model using AMOS software, and the relationships between factors, fit indices and were determined.

Seven main factors on reducing depression in the design of inpatient spaces were found and included: visual perception, naturalism, functionalism, physical safety, logical process, psychological safety, and diversity from the highest to the lowest. As such visual perception showed the highest direct and indirect effects.

The findings suggest that considering the factors indicated by this study might lead to the reduction of patients’ depression in inpatient spaces.