Xuan, X; Huang, Y and Zhang, Z (2025) Effects of IEQ on inpatients' psychological restoration in hospital wards: The role of environmental perceptions. Building Research & Information, 53(8), pp. 1014-1038. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
The hospital ward environment impacts patients' physical and mental well-being. This study aimed to investigate the impact of indoor environmental quality (IEQ) (thermal, acoustic, luminous and indoor air quality (IAQ)) on psychological restoration and to explore the mediating role of environmental perceptions. A field survey was conducted in the spring with 418 patients across four departments in a large general hospital in Hefei, China. The survey employed environmental measurements and a questionnaire that included the Hospital Indoor Restoration Scale (HIRS). The results showed that thermal, acoustic and IAQ perception significantly influenced psychological restoration and served as significant mediators, with IAQ perception exhibiting the most substantial effect. IAQ perception was positively correlated with psychological restoration across all departments. Acoustic perception exhibited a powerful effect among gastroenterology and cardiology patients, whereas thermal perception impacted only cardiology patients. Moreover, self-rated indoor restoration quality was positively associated with IAQ perception and psychological restoration. This study provides a basis for creating an environment conducive to patient restoration.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | departmental differences; environmental perception; hospital wards; indoor environmental quality; psychological restoration |
| Index terms: | environmental perception, survey, indoor air quality, thermal perception, well-being, questionnaire, restoration, China, mediator, indoor environmental quality |
| Subjects: | Geography, environmental health, environmental engineering, renovation and retrofit, environmental behaviour, dispute resolution, mental health and wellbeing, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Legal Issues, Health and Safety, Geographical Context, Engineering Principles, Sustainability, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
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