The influences of facilities management on mental health of underground development users during the pandemic in Hong Kong

Abstract

The outbreak of COVID-19 has triggered an unprecedented health crisis across the world. Previous research indicated that the fear of being infected in public place has transportation hindered the commuters' choice on. In fact, underground transportation systems, especially those located in high- density cities, have been perceived as high risk environments under the pandemic. In addition, the prolonged COVID-19 outbreak, together with the negative public impression towards underground environment, have to certain extent triggered various mental health responses amongst citizens (e.g., 42.3% increase of anxiety in Hong Kong). This study thus aims to investigate the impacts of FM on underground development users' mental health in Hong Kong. To achieve this aim, a questionnaire survey approach is adopted. The survey is designed to contain three parts: background information, satisfaction towards underground FM (space management, building services, and supporting facilities related to the pandemic), and mental health level (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and claustrophobia). Data is collected over four underground subway stations in Hong Kong. Person correlation and regression analysis are conducted to determine the statistically significant relationships between underground FM and users' mental health. The results indicated that satisfaction towards visual access, immediate access, and hygiene practices have negative relationship with the occurrence of emotional exhuastion and depersonalization, except for claustrophobia symptoms. The study results provide empirical evidence for practitioners to make informed decisions in FM plans for enhancing mental health of underground development users under and after the pandemic.