Green spaces, subjective health and depressed affect in middle-aged and older adults: a cross-country comparison of four European cohorts

Abstract

BackgroundStudies on associations between urban green space and mental health have yielded mixed results. This study examines associations of green space exposures with subjective health and depressed affect of middle-aged and older adults in four European cohorts.MethodsData came from four Western-European and Central-European ageing cohorts harmonised as part of the Mindmap project, comprising 16 189 adults with an average age of 50–71 years. Green space exposure was based on the distance to the nearest green space and the amount of green space within 800 m buffers around residential addresses. Cohort-specific and one-step individual participant data (IPD) meta-analyses were used to examine associations of green space exposures with subjective health and depressed affect.ResultsThe amount of green spaces within 800 m buffers was lowest for Residential Environment and CORonary heart Disease (Paris, 15.0 hectares) and highest for Health, Alcohol and Psychosocial factors In Eastern Europe (Czech Republic, 35.9 hectares). IPD analyses indicated no evidence of an association between the distance to the nearest green space and depressed affect (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.00) or good self-rated health (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.02). Likewise, the amount of green space within 800 m buffers did not predict depressed affect (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.96 to 1.00) or good self-rated health (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99 to 1.02). Findings were consistent across all cohorts.ConclusionsData from four European ageing cohorts provide no support for the hypothesis that green space exposure is associated with subjective health or depressed affect. While longitudinal evidence is required, these findings suggest that green space may be less important for older urban residents.

Association Between Natural/Built Campus Environment and Depression Among Chinese Undergraduates: Multiscale Evidence for the Moderating Role of Socioeconomic Factors After Controlling for Residential Self-Selection

“…In contrast to the expectation that more NDVI mitigates depression ( 19 , 48 ), the association failed to reach statistical significance in this study, which is consistent with some other previous findings ( 20 , 54 ). Similar to prior studies ( 33 , 69 ), however, more scattered trees within campuses helped to protect against depression.…”

“…Empirical evidence on impact of NDVI on depression is conclusive ( 19 , 20 , 54 ); however, which type of green space has a greater effect on depression is not yet well-understood ( 30 , 31 ). In this paper, we focus on the benefits of NDVI and five types of urban natural features (i.e., dense tree, scattered trees, bush/scrubs, low plants, and water) derived from local climate zone maps, for the reduction of depression.…”

Cross-sectional associations of different types of nature exposure with psychotropic, antihypertensive and asthma medication

“… 1 2 5–12 In line with our results for the association between nature exposure and mental health, in a survey across 18 countries (n=16 703), no clear associations were observed between green or blue space exposure indicators and antidepressive or anxiety medication use, 31 and in a cross-sectional study of ageing cohorts in four European studies (n=16 189), no association between distance to the nearest green space and self-reported depressed affect was observed. 32 In contrast to our results, a recent longitudinal study from Finland (n=19 851) observed an association between high residential greenness and low risk of doctor-diagnosed depression 33 ; however, no information on visits to green space were used. Contrary to our results, a Spanish cross-sectional study (n=958) found that surrounding greenness was associated with decreased odds of self-reported benzodiazepine use.…”

Residential Greenness and Long-term Mortality Among Patients Who Underwent Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery

“…10,12,13 Recent longitudinal studies showed an inverse association between greenness and depression, but systematic reviews are inconclusive. 81–83 In a previous study greenness was associated with a positive change in the emotional component of health-related quality of life among CABG patients, but no association was found with the physical or the social component. 58 Analyses of pathophysiologic pathways show greenness to associate with lower levels of sympathetic activation, reduced oxidative stress, higher angiogenic capacity, and lower inflammation levels linked with cardiovascular disease, depression and premature mortality.…”