Perceived accessibility and life satisfaction: the mediating role of activity participation?

A lack of accessibility can lead to social exclusion and lower quality of life. While research has shown that objective accessibility measures influence well-being, few studies have examined the role of perceived accessibility. In this study, we test the notion that activity participation might play a mediating role in the relationship between perceived accessibility and well-being. In addition, we hypothesize that perceived accessibility may also directly influence well-being, assuming that a sense of residing in an accessible place has intrinsic value to people. Using data from the 2022 Netherlands Mobility Panel (n = 4,222), we test these chain relationships: perceived accessibility-activity participation-life satisfaction. The results of the structural equation modeling show that higher perceived accessibility by cars and bicycles directly enhances life satisfaction, while perceived accessibility by walking influences life satisfaction only indirectly, through increased activity participation. Accessibility by public transport, however, has no direct/indirect significant effect on well-being.