Physical environment as a catalyst for healthy aging: servicescape, motivation, and well-being in older adult park golf.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Active leisure activities like park golf are crucial for older adults' successful aging. Grounded in the Stimulus-Organism-Response (S-O-R) paradigm and Self-Determination Theory (SDT), this study investigated the structural relationships among perceived servicescape, facility image, satisfaction, motivation, and subjective well-being. METHODS: A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed. Data from 264 older adult park golf participants in South Korea were analyzed using structural equation modeling. A phantom variable approach was employed to rigorously test multiple mediation effects. RESULTS: The physical servicescape (stimulus) positively impacted both perceived image and facility satisfaction (organism), which subsequently enhanced participation motivation (response). The structural model showed an acceptable fit (χ 2/df = 1.831, TLI = .904, CFI = .919, RMSEA = .092, SRMR = .074). Servicescape significantly predicted both image (β = .838, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = .699, p < .001), and image (β = .447, p < .001) and satisfaction (β = .299, p < .01) in turn predicted motivation, which strongly predicted subjective well-being (β = .774, p < .001). Notably, perceived symbolic image influenced motivation more strongly than functional satisfaction. This voluntarily formed motivation then was associated with higher levels of participants' subjective well-being. CONCLUSION: Beyond establishing excellent physical infrastructure, fostering an emotionally appealing facility image is vital for promoting continuous sports participation and genuine psychological well-being among older adults. These findings provide empirical evidence for infrastructure design and emotion-oriented marketing in age-friendly sports facilities. Ultimately, this research offers practical insights into utilizing leisure environments as public health interventions to promote successful aging.