Is a View of Green Spaces from Home Associated with a Lower Risk of Anxiety and Depression?

Abstract

Although a large body of research supports the theory that exposure to nature results in mental health benefits, research evidence on the effects of having a view of green space from home is still scarce. The aim of the present study is to assess the impact that access to a green space view from home has on anxiety and depression. This is a cross-sectional study extracting data from the “2018 Green Spaces, Daily Habits and Urban Health Survey” conducted in Carmona (Spain). The study included variables on sociodemographic and lifestyle, view of green spaces from home, self-perceived health status, and risk of anxiety and depression measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Chi-square tests were used to assess variable’s associations and a multiple linear regression models used to identify the variables explaining the risk of anxiety and depression, taking into account sociodemographic characteristics, frequency of visits and view of green spaces from home. According to our results, adults who enjoy a view of green spaces from home have a lower risk of anxiety and depression.

Can Viewing Nature Through Windows Improve Isolated Living? A Pathway Analysis on Chinese Male Prisoners During the COVID-19 Epidemic

“…The current study identified indirect adverse pathways from the visibility of nature through windows to mental health problems represented by depression and anxiety symptoms. The results support a previous study where the views of greenspaces from home were associated with a lower risk of anxiety and depression ( 22 ). A later study has also confirmed the same benefits for isolated people during the COVID-19 pandemic ( 21 ), which underlines the values of nature exposure for the isolated population.…”

“…Windows can contribute to indirect nature exposure ( 22 , 23 ). According to previous studies, the visibility of nature is a fundamental dimension for nature exposure through windows ( 21 , 22 ), which may be affected by neighborhood greening rate and the geographical location of windows.…”

“…Windows can contribute to indirect nature exposure ( 22 , 23 ). According to previous studies, the visibility of nature is a fundamental dimension for nature exposure through windows ( 21 , 22 ), which may be affected by neighborhood greening rate and the geographical location of windows. Theoretically, the visibility of nature may regulate the frequency and duration of viewing nature through windows because a window with a better view of nature may attract people to make more visual contact with greenness outside.…”

“…Nature exposure has shown great potential in improving mental health, particularly in coping with mental health problems such as depression and anxiety ( 22 , 26 , 27 ). A recent study has also confirmed the same mental health benefits in nature exposure through windows ( 21 ).…”

The Interplay between Housing Environmental Attributes and Design Exposures and Psychoneuroimmunology Profile—An Exploratory Review and Analysis Paper in the Cancer Survivors’ Mental Health Morbidity Context

“…Thus, housing design and environmental conditions may sustain the viability of health and delivery around certain survivorship care domains through psychosocially supportive spaces that promote recovery. In the context of health effects associated to influencing factors in home settings, pre-COVID-19 systematic and primary research has also shown how the contact with domestic indoor nature [200], view of green spaces [201,202], natural and artificial lighting [203], environment sounds [204], household air pollution [205,206], thermal comfort and building features and ventilation/heating systems following housing improvements [207,208] can impact on residents' health and mental well-being. Of these primary studies, the majority used non-objective measurements for evaluating the different home environmental domains and health-wellbeing outcomes.…”