Smartphone-based ecological momentary assessment reveals mental health benefits of birdlife

Abstract

The mental health benefits of everyday encounters with birdlife for mental health are poorly understood. Previous studies have typically relied on retrospective questionnaires or artificial set-ups with little ecological validity. In the present study, we used the Urban Mind smartphone application to examine the impact of seeing or hearing birds on self-reported mental wellbeing in real-life contexts. A sample of 1292 participants completed a total of 26,856 ecological momentary assessments between April 2018 and October 2021. Everyday encounters with birdlife were associated with time-lasting improvements in mental wellbeing. These improvements were evident not only in healthy people but also in those with a diagnosis of depression, the most common mental illness across the world. These findings have potential implications for both environmental and wildlife protection and mental healthcare policies. Specific measures, aimed at preserving and increasing everyday encounters with birdlife in urban areas, should be implemented.

Classification and ecological relevance of soundscapes in urban informal settlements

“…In natural areas where people go to purposely escape the sounds of cities, any anthropogenic noise may be poorly tolerated (Buxton et al, 2021; Uebel et al, 2022). Conversely, detection of bird‐song in people's everyday lives has positive mental health impacts even in the absence of greenspace (Hammoud et al, 2022).…”

“…The subjective assessment of those sounds by humans varies with factors such as age and culture, along with the context in which the sound is experienced (Davies, 2013; Van Kempen et al, 2014; Zhang & Kang, 2007). However, even in cities people generally prefer natural over anthropogenic sounds, and exposure to natural sound has been associated with physical and mental health benefits (Buxton et al, 2021; Franco et al, 2017; Hammoud et al, 2022; Yang & Kang, 2005).…”

Leveraging Campus Landscapes for Public Health: A Pilot Study to Understand the Psychological Effects of Urban Sheep Grazing on College Campuses

“…and less on external environmental factors such as exposure (or lack of exposure) to nature. Research collaborations between public health professionals and environmental designers, however, are increasingly highlighting the role that external environmental factors including wildlife [50], street trees [51], and public parks [52] play in mental health, creating a much-needed dialogue between the fields of ecology, design, and public health. Improvements in personal health and well-being will not come from lectures, social media posts, or scientific articles alone, but from ongoing direct participation.…”

The Joy of birds: the effect of rating for joy or counting garden bird species on wellbeing, anxiety, and nature connection

“…Despite growing recognition of the risks of disease transmission (Lawson et al 2018), and the possible negative impacts on biodiversity (Shutt and Lees 2021), the practice of feeding garden birds is clearly a popular and accessible means of connecting with nature in urban environments. Hammoud et al 2022) and restoration (Ratcliffe et al 2013(Ratcliffe et al , 2020Zhu et al 2020). Effects are greater in conditions of perceived species diversity (Cameron et al 2020;Cox and Gaston 2015), and when people actively encounter birds (Cox et al 2018).…”

“…Effects are greater in conditions of perceived species diversity (Cameron et al 2020;Cox and Gaston 2015), and when people actively encounter birds (Cox et al 2018). Hammoud et al (2022) used real-time sampling via a smartphone app and found that reported mental wellbeing was greater when participants could see or hear birds, compared with not seeing or hearing birds. The effects on wellbeing were lasting, independent of the effect of seeing trees, plants or water, and were observed in people with depression as well as those without a mental health condition.…”