Mental health status and third places use among rural working-age adults in the United States

There is increasing urgency to address mental health needs, particularly through social determinants of health and modifiable lifestyle factors. Although third place use, going to public places outside of work or home, is a lifestyle behaviour that influences social health and feelings of belonging, little is known about if third place use is associated with mental health, particularly among rural working-aged adults who face increased risk for poor mental health outcomes, including suicide. This article presents data analysed from a representative sample of 1135 rural adults ages 18 to 64 to determine whether mental health was associated with various levels of third place use. Results suggest that both going to third places and engaging with others are associated with better mental health among rural working-aged adults. Findings inform the growing body of literature on third places as social determinants of health and third place use as a modifiable lifestyle factor.