Space-time fragmentation of daily mobility patterns and exposures: Theoretical underpinnings and empirical investigation in relation to well-being

Abstract

Objective

Daily mobility is a powerful lever to promote well-being by fostering active living, social participation, and access health resources. However, decomposition of daily mobility (e.g., motility vs. movement; temporal and spatial dimensions) and in-depth examination of the causal pathways with well-being point to more complex relations (Cuignet et al., 2019). This study applies the concept of “spatial and temporal fragmentation of activities”(Alexander et al., 2011) to daily mobility, and investigates its meaning for eudaimonic well-being (e.g., self-realisation, self-actualization) and hedonic well-being (e.g., happiness).

Spatio-temporal fragmentation refers to the “disintegration of activities in smaller sets of acts that can be performed at different times, different locations, or both” (Alexander et al., 2011). Temporal fragmentation of mobility is assessed from the number of travel episodes, the distribution of their duration and their temporal configuration (e.g., time between travel episodes) over the day. Spatial fragmentation is defined from the number of travel locations, their distribution (e.g., frequency of visit) and spatial configurations (e.g., clustering, shape and orientation). The spatial and temporal dimensions of mobility fragmentation are expected to vary in their associations with well-being. Activity-space based exposure is expected to modify the mobility fragmentation-well-being relationship via therapeutic or stressful environments that compensate or reinforce fragmentation effects on well-being.

Methods

This study is based on a cohort of 470 older adults in Luxembourg (Kestens et al., 2016). Information related to demographics and well-being were collected using standard questionnaires. Daily mobility was assessed based on GPS tracks during 7 days. Two outcomes will be considered: i) hedonic well-being, and ii) eudaimonic well-being. Mobility fragmentation will be evaluated using 11 validated indicators (Alexander et al., 2011). Exposures to transport facilities, amenities, and greenness will be assessed within participants’ activity space. Associations between mobility fragmentation, environmental exposures and well-being will be examined using linear regressions; effect modification of environmental exposures will be tested.

Expected results

Mobility fragmentation might provide a richer life content and richer stimulation, which in turn might create a greater sense of environmental and behavioral mastery (i.e. eudaimonic well-being,) and instant satisfaction (i.e. hedonic well-being). However, excessive fragmentation might reflect a lack of spatial and/or temporal mastery of mobility, and could result in increased time pressure and stress. Denser urban environments might ease fragmentation while greener environments might reduce fragmentation-related stress on well-being.