Cool Homes, Connected Neighbourhoods: Residential Environments and Heat‑Related Mental Well‑Being

The built environment shapes residents’ well-being and (mental) health. Housing and the neighbourhood form a psychosocial context that influences intrapsychological processes, social positioning, and everyday interactions. In the context of climate change, particularly heat, residential environment is a key lever for adaptation and affect both exposure to climate hazards and residents’ capacity to cope with their impacts. This study examines how satisfaction with the residential environment (i.e., environmental conditions, home overheating, neighbourhood social cohesion, and consumption‑free socialising) relates to (1) general psychosocial well-being and (2) heat-related psychosocial well-being. Data stem from a representative Austrian survey (n = 1,152) from September 2024. General well-being was assessed with seven items adapted from the Mental Health Inventory; heat-related well-being was assessed with an adapted nine-item version. Using multivariate regressions controlling for socio-demographic characteristics (incl. chronic disease), we found that several aspects of the residential environment were strongly associated with psychosocial well-being. General psychosocial well-being was higher when home was less overheated, when residents reported neighbourhood social cohesion and opportunities to socialise without pressure to consume. Heat-related psychosocial well-being was higher when home overheating was less likely and satisfaction with environmental conditions (e.g., noise, air quality, heat/cold, access to green space). Exploratory analyses suggest that when homes become too hot, the odds of using nearby green or blue spaces (access to water) increase. Climate adaptation should combine measures addressing individual housing with high-quality, nearby cooling/restorative environments, as psychosocial well-being benefits from strengthening social cohesion and providing low-threshold, consumption-free places to meet.

Key messages

• Psychosocial well‑being is higher in less overheated homes with strong neighbourhood cohesion and consumption‑free socialising.

• Nearby green and blue public spaces act as everyday heat‑coping resources. Climate adaptation should pair cooler housing with high‑quality, accessible restorative environments.