How Nature Benefits Mental Health

Herchet, Marilisa; Varadarajan, Suchithra; Kolassa, Iris‐Tatjana; Hofmann, M

doi:10.1026/1616-3443/a000674

Cited by 4 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…In this scoping review, a wide range of methodologies regarding the assessment of mental health were found. To understand the complex pathways through which green spaces can affect mental health, multiple perspectives are needed to assess both physiologically observable and psychological processes ( 6 , 38 ). Questionnaires were utilized most frequently which might be due to their cost-efficiency in assessing mental health ( 6 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To understand the complex pathways through which green spaces can affect mental health, multiple perspectives are needed to assess both physiologically observable and psychological processes ( 6 , 38 ). Questionnaires were utilized most frequently which might be due to their cost-efficiency in assessing mental health ( 6 ). Regarding the quality of results, it has to be considered whether a validated instrument or a self-constructed questionnaire was used.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There is a need for a variety of methods in order to offer different perspectives on exposures as well as outcomes ( 14 , 160 ), since every isolated combination has its potentials as well as its weaknesses. High quality assessments of the potential impact greenspace might have on mental health provide valuable insights into the planning of future greenspaces and the urban environment ( 6 , 7 , 21 ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The WHO ( 8 ) defines mental health as “a state of well-being in which every individual realizes his or her own potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to her or his community.” Psychological theories linked to the restoration domain can provide a theoretical basis for mental health benefits. The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) ( 9 ) and the Stress Recovery Theory (SRT) ( 10 , 11 ) are often taken into account as a theoretical framework for this interaction ( 6 , 7 ). The ART states that natural environments can provide a higher fascination or the sense of being away from undesirable aspects of everyday life compared to urban environments and can provide effortless attention which in turn leads to restoration ( 9 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Similarly, the effects of the COVID 19-pandemic on the use patterns as well as the influence of greenspace regarding mental health have been investigated within existing reviews ( 35 , 36 ). There are fewer reviews focusing on methods, and those that do are analyzed from either an ecological or health perspective or put their emphasis on specific methods, such as biopsychological health outcomes ( 6 ) or Geoinformation System (GIS)-based exposure measures ( 37 ). Another review investigated different perspectives of research on urban greenspaces on several health outcomes and how green places, a term emphasizing the personal bonding to and perceptions of greenspace, could be more beneficial for health than greenspace ( 38 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review

Freymueller,

Schmid,

Senkler

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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IntroductionGreenspaces can provide an important resource for human mental health. A growing body of literature investigates the interaction and the influence of diverse greenspace exposures. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex connection between greenspace and mental health, a variety of perspectives and methodological combinations are needed. The aim of this review is to assess the current methodologies researching greenspace and mental health.MethodsA scoping review was conducted. Four electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. A wide range of greenspace and mental health keywords were included to provide a comprehensive representation of the body of research. Relevant information on publication characteristics, types of greenspaces, mental health outcomes, and measurements of greenspace exposure and mental health was extracted and assessed.Results338 studies were included. The included studies encompassed a multitude of methods, as well as outcomes for both greenspace and mental health. 28 combinations were found between seven categories each for greenspace and mental health assessment. Some pairings such as geoinformation systems for greenspace assessment and questionnaires investigating mental health were used much more frequently than others, implying possible research gaps. Furthermore, we identified problems and inconsistences in reporting of greenspace types and mental health outcomes.DiscussionThe identified methodological variety is a potential for researching the complex connections between greenspace and mental health. Commonly used combinations can provide important insights. However, future research needs to emphasize other perspectives in order to understand how to create living environments with mental health benefits. For this purpose, interdisciplinary research is necessary.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review

Freymueller,

Schmid,

Senkler

et al. 2024

Front. Public Health

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Greenspaces of psychiatric clinics and patient perceptions: A mixed‐methods exploration

Schmid,

Nowak,

Oeljeklaus

et al. 2024

People and Nature

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Nature and natural elements have been proven to promote mental health and well‐being but there is a research gap regarding psychiatric environments, despite the importance of psychiatric hospitals for mental health. It is essential to understand the particular characteristics relevant for patients in these settings. We conducted semi‐structured in‐situ interviews with patients on greenspaces around two psychiatric hospitals in Germany to identify positive and negative perceptions of natural elements and amenities. The perceptions are embedded into the perceived sensory dimensions (PSD) concept and combined with mapping data to achieve in‐depth descriptions of the psychiatric greenspaces. The results show the importance of greenspaces for psychiatric patients and their positive sentiments towards those spaces. The greenspaces have to provide for diverse needs and support different uses of patients at various stages of recovery. User‐sensitive and multifunctional greenspace design can reconcile conflicts of interest and contribute to a therapeutic landscape. We propose that the PSD can complement the concept of Therapeutic Landscapes, especially when the focus is on natural environments. ‘Policy implications’: Multifunctional greenspaces around psychiatric clinics can help patients to relax, enjoy the connection to nature and other people, and further their well‐being. The spaces have to be carefully designed and can potentially have a therapeutic effect on people with mental‐health problems and simultaneously enhance nature conservation and biodiversity. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.https://relationalthinkingblog.com/?p=7913

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Nature lifts when feeling low: Daily high and low awe nature clips decrease repetitive negative thinking and dampening and increase subjective happiness in adults

Bogaert,

Joye,

Dejonckheere

et al. 2024

Applied Psych Health & Well

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Exposure to nature can enhance mental well‐being, making nature‐based interventions promising for the treatment and prevention of mental health problems like depression. Given the decreased self‐focus and sense of self‐diminishment associated with awe, the present study investigated the impact of exposure to awe‐evoking nature on two key risk and maintenance factors of depression—repetitive negative thinking (RNT) and dampening of positive feelings—and on subjective happiness. In a randomized controlled trial, we tested the effects of exposure to awe‐evoking nature clips through a 1‐week intervention, consisting of watching a 1‐min clip on a daily basis of either awe‐evoking (n high awe = 108) or more mundane nature scenes (n low awe = 105). Before, immediately after (post‐intervention) and 1 week after the intervention (follow‐up), participants completed self‐report scales probing RNT, dampening, and subjective happiness. Results indicated significant decreases in these outcomes at post‐intervention and follow‐up in both groups. We discuss study limitations, touch upon future research ideas, and reflect upon the role of nature for clinical applications.

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How Nature Benefits Mental Health

Cited by 4 publications

References 51 publications

Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review

Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review

Greenspaces of psychiatric clinics and patient perceptions: A mixed‐methods exploration

Nature lifts when feeling low: Daily high and low awe nature clips decrease repetitive negative thinking and dampening and increase subjective happiness in adults

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