Residential greenspace is associated with mental health via intertwined capacity-building and capacity-restoring pathways

Dzhambov, Angel M.; Hartig, Terry; Tilov, Boris; Atanasova, Victoria; Makakova, Desislava R.; Dimitrova, Donka D.

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2019.108708

Cited by 89 publications

(69 citation statements)

References 94 publications

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“…Our findings are in line with several previous studies, which showed beneficial associations between residential exposure to greenspace in adults and self-perceived mental health [ 11 , 13 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 ]. However, the majority of previous studies are focused on anxiety and depression [ 11 , 15 , 27 , 30 , 33 , 34 ]. Although our observed association between residential surrounding greenspace and depression did not attain statistical significance, a recent study in South Korea (n=65,128) found lower rates of depressive symptoms among participants living in greener areas [ 33 ].…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

“…The same study found associations between residential access to a major green space and self-reported history of depression [0.18 (0.06, 0.58)] [ 11 ]. In Plovdiv (Bulgaria) [ 30 ], a study among 529 participants showed reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms in the participants with higher exposure to residential greenspace across different buffer sizes using NDVI and tree cover as green indicators.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The potential mechanisms underlying the beneficial association between exposure to greenspace and mental health are yet to be established; however, reduced stress, increased mental restoration, enhanced social contacts, increased physical activity and reduced exposure to air pollution, heat and noise are suggested to be involved [ 16 , 30 , 32 ]. The stress restoration theory suggests that greenspace could promote recovery from stress and help to lessen states of arousal and negative thoughts [ 16 , 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Residential Surrounding Greenspace and Mental Health in Three Spanish Areas

Toda

Anabitarte

Cirach

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Exposure to greenspace has been related to improved mental health, but the available evidence is limited and findings are heterogeneous across different areas. We aimed to evaluate the associations between residential exposure to greenspace and specific psychopathological and psychosomatic symptoms related to mental health among mothers from a Spanish birth cohort. Our study was based on data from 1171 women participating in two follow-ups of a population-based cohort in Valencia, Sabadell, and Gipuzkoa (2004–2012). For each participant, residential surrounding greenspace was estimated as the average of the satellite-based Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) across different buffers around the residential address at the time of delivery and at the 4-year follow-up. The Symptom Checklist 90 Revised (SCL-90-R) was applied to characterize mental health at the 4-year follow-up. We developed mixed-effects logistic regression models controlled for relevant covariates to evaluate the associations. Higher residential surrounding greenspace was associated with a lower risk of somatization and anxiety symptoms. For General Severity Index (GSI), obsessive–compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, hostility, phobic anxiety, paranoid ideation, and psychoticism symptoms, we generally observed protective associations, but none attained statistical significance. Findings from this study suggested a potential positive impactof greenspace on mental health.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 93%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Residential Surrounding Greenspace and Mental Health in Three Spanish Areas

Toda

Anabitarte

Cirach

et al. 2020

IJERPH

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…One in every four people suffer from mental disorders in their lifetime (1). Environmental health related researchers have suggested that green environments can reduce levels of stress related mental disorders and therefore enhance positive mental health (2,(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). For instance, Dzhambov et al (6) have shown that green spaces afford restorative experiences and promote better mental health with higher mindfulness, lower rumination, and greater resilience to stress.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating the Mental Health Impacts of University Campus Green Space Through Perceived Sensory Dimensions and the Mediation Effects of Perceived Restorativeness on Restoration Experience

Malekinezhad

Courtney

Lamit

et al. 2020

Front. Public Health

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Introduction: Green spaces support people mentally in their everyday life. Perceived restorativeness and Perceived Sensory Dimension (PSD) have been addressed as optimal environmental related characteristics with regards to psychological restoration. However, relatively little research has investigated how the perception of these characteristics, directly and indirectly, affects restoration experience, particularly in a sample of university students within the area of green outdoor campus landscapes.Methods: This study hypothesizes these associations through application of partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM), inputting data from a sample of university students in Malaysia. In the hypothesized model, we examine the degree of restoration that is enjoyed by subjects within landscapes through the effects of these characteristics. Indirect effects of perceived restorativeness via evaluation of mediation effects associated with perception of landscape characteristics and restoration experience are also investigated.Results: Through validation of the measurement model, we find significant positive coefficient paths with adequate predictive abilities in the hypothesized model. Findings suggest the effect of PSD on perceived restorativeness leads to a better explanation of restoration experience. In addition, perceived landscape characteristics of PSD enhance restoration experience in alignment with perceived restorativeness characteristics.Conclusions: Greater effects on restoration experience come through perceived restorativeness that is affected by PSD, which itself is capable of promoting favorable experiences of restorativeness in a green space and facilitating psychological restorative outcomes. The mechanistic effect of emotional regulation implies a distinct role of green spaces in maintaining good mental health and has relevance to public health models that promote independence and well-being through preventative approaches. The work paves the way for further studies that examine which dimensions of PSD support perceived restorativeness and restoration experience more than others, and the wider psycho-social value of green spaces through the application of mediation effects and personal sensory dimensions in the development of mental health.

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“…Some European city managers believe that city parks provide residents with spaces for entertainment and interactive activities [5]. Residents of urban environments can more easily relieve pressure and attention fatigue when using natural spaces, and green spaces enhance residents' levels of psychological adaptability [6], with the green coverage rate playing a role in the mental health of residents [7]. Jiang B et al [8] found that the green vision rate with the strongest effect in terms of relieving stress ranges from 24% to 34%.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Does the Presence of Birdsongs Improve Perceived Levels of Mental Restoration from Park Use? Experiments on Parkways of Harbin Sun Island in China

Zhu

Gao

Zhao

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Green spaces in cities and urban parks serve as central areas for mental restoration and relieving pressure, and attention to soundscapes for their mental health benefits has become more prevalent. Birdsongs are perceived to enhance the restorative benefits of urban parks. This study examines Harbin Sun Island Park, the main bird habitat in the city of Harbin with numerous types of landscapes. We used space syntax to select the appropriate path space as a carrier and the pixel grid method to quantify path space shapes. A correlation analysis of field data was also used to explore the perceived restorative effects of birdsongs heard in urban parks using scales detailing the perceived restorative effects of various visual and auditory stimuli. The results show that soundscapes can significantly improve perceived recovery benefits, and that hearing birdsongs can significantly improve the perceived restorative benefits of wetland paths; the sky index of a tour path showed a significantly negative correlation with each feature (i.e., the four featured dimensions of “charm”, “escape”, “ductility” and “compatibility” included in the recovery scale), and the soft/hard ratio showed a significantly negative correlation with each studied feature. When the sky index ranged from 13–36%, tree coverage of the vertical coverage range was 30.28–38.6%, and when the soft/hard ratio ranged from 5–21, the perceived recovery benefit was strongest.

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Residential greenspace is associated with mental health via intertwined capacity-building and capacity-restoring pathways

Cited by 89 publications

References 94 publications

Residential Surrounding Greenspace and Mental Health in Three Spanish Areas

Residential Surrounding Greenspace and Mental Health in Three Spanish Areas

Investigating the Mental Health Impacts of University Campus Green Space Through Perceived Sensory Dimensions and the Mediation Effects of Perceived Restorativeness on Restoration Experience

Does the Presence of Birdsongs Improve Perceived Levels of Mental Restoration from Park Use? Experiments on Parkways of Harbin Sun Island in China

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