THE IMPACT OF GREEN SPACES TO HUMAN PSYCHOLOGY AND THEIR MENTAL HEALTH
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v22i33.1563Keywords:
Natural Environment, Mental HealthAbstract
With rapid urbanization, the increasing separation between humans and the natural environment is exacerbating mental health challenges. Research shows that contact with the natural environment yields significant psychological benefits. However, existing theories have limitations in sample diversity and explanatory power. This study reviewed and tested five major theoretical frameworks, aiming to develop a new interdisciplinary theoretical framework. Using a questionnaire, data from 413 participants were analyzed via structural equation modeling. The results confirmed the important roles of physiological and cognitive effects, and psychological needs satisfaction, in how the natural environment influences mental health. This research created a progressive theoretical framework that integrates these findings, enhancing understanding of the complex mechanisms by which nature affects mental health and informing urban planning. Future research, based on this framework and involving larger samples, will aim to develop a more comprehensive theoretical system.
Downloads
References
Astell-Burt, T., & Feng, X. (2019). Association of urban green space with mental health and general health among adults in Australia. JAMA network open, 2(7), e198209-e198209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.8209
Bratman, G. N., Anderson, C. B., Berman, M. G., Cochran, B., De Vries, S., Flanders, J., Folke, C., Frumkin, H., Gross, J. J., & Hartig, T. (2019). Nature and mental health: An ecosystem service perspective. Science advances, 5(7), eaax0903. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.aax0903
Bratman, G. N., Olvera‐Alvarez, H. A., & Gross, J. J. (2021). The affective benefits of nature exposure. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 15(8), e12630. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12630
Brymer, E., Crabtree, J., & King, R. (2021). Exploring perceptions of how nature recreation benefits mental wellbeing: a qualitative enquiry. Annals of Leisure Research, 24(3), 394-413. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/11745398.2020.1778494
Bustamante, G., Guzman, V., Kobayashi, L. C., & Finlay, J. (2022). Mental health and well-being in times of COVID-19: A mixed-methods study of the role of neighborhood parks, outdoor spaces, and nature among US older adults. Health & place, 76, 102813. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2022.102813
Cassarino, M., Tuohy, I. C., & Setti, A. (2019). Sometimes nature doesn’t work: Absence of attention restoration in older adults exposed to environmental scenes. Experimental Aging Research, 45(4), 372-385. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/0361073X.2019.1627497
Csikszentmihalyi, M. (1990). Flow. The Psychology of Optimal Experience. New York (HarperPerennial) 1990.
Curran, P. J., Bollen, K. A., Paxton, P., Kirby, J., & Chen, F. (2002). The noncentral chi-square distribution in misspecified structural equation models: Finite sample results from a Monte Carlo simulation. Multivariate behavioral research, 37(1), 1-36. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/S15327906MBR3701_01
Deci, E. L., & Ryan, R. M. (1985). Intrinsic motivation and self-determination in human behavior. Contemporary Sociology, 17(2), 253. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2070638
Escolà-Gascón, Á., & Houran, J. (2021). Paradoxical effects of exposure to nature in “haunted” places: Implications for stress reduction theory. Landscape and Urban Planning, 214, 104183. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104183
Feng, X., Astell-Burt, T., Standl, M., Flexeder, C., Heinrich, J., & Markevych, I. (2022). Green space quality and adolescent mental health: do personality traits matter? Environmental Research, 206, 112591. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.112591
Fornell, C., & Larcker, D. F. (1981). Evaluating structural equation models with unobservable variables and measurement error. Journal of marketing research, 18(1), 39-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/002224378101800104
Hair, J. F. (2009). Multivariate data analysis.
Herchet, M., Varadarajan, S., Kolassa, I.-T., & Hofmann, M. (2022). How Nature Benefits Mental Health. Zeitschrift für Klinische Psychologie und Psychotherapie. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1026/1616-3443/a000674
Hubbard, G., Daas, C. d., Johnston, M., Murchie, P., Thompson, C. W., & Dixon, D. (2021). Are rurality, area deprivation, access to outside space, and green space associated with mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic? A cross sectional study (CHARIS-E). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(8), 3869. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18083869
Jones, R., Tarter, R., & Ross, A. M. (2021). Greenspace interventions, stress and cortisol: a scoping review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(6), 2802. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18062802
Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The experience of nature: A psychological perspective. Cambridge university press.
Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of environmental psychology, 15(3), 169-182. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2
Klein, Y., Lindfors, P., Osika, W., Magnusson Hanson, L. L., & Stenfors, C. U. (2022). Residential greenspace is associated with lower levels of depressive and burnout symptoms, and higher levels of life satisfaction: A nationwide population-based study in Sweden. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(9), 5668. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19095668
Korpela, K. M., Ylén, M., Tyrväinen, L., & Silvennoinen, H. (2010). Favorite green, waterside and urban environments, restorative experiences and perceived health in Finland. Health promotion international, 25(2), 200-209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/heapro/daq007
Latip, N. A., Umar, M. U., Yusoh, M. P., Mansur, K., Hua, A. K., Hussin, R., & Nordin, D. S. N. D. (2023). SUSTAINABLE URBAN PARK: A CASE STUDIES OF TAMAN AWAM TELUK LIKAS, KOTA KINABALU, SABAH. MALAYSIA. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i28.1333
Lee, E. S., Maillet, M. A., & Grouzet, F. M. (2022). Why do individuals engage with the natural world? A self-determination theory perspective on the effect of nature engagement and well-being. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 17(3), 1501-1532. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-021-09970-2
Lee, J., Kang, M., Lee, S., & Lee, S. (2022). Effects of Vegetation Structure on Psychological Restoration in an Urban Rooftop Space. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(1), 260. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20010260
Lim, N. H. H., Hasnan, L., Abidin, N. Z., Chowdhury, M. S., Jalil, N. A. S. A., & Hassan, L. S. (2023). EXPLORING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PERCEIVED IMPORTANCE OF HEALTHY CITY INDICATORS AND SATISFACTION LEVELS TOWARDS THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN SHAPING A HEALTHY CITY. PLANNING MALAYSIA, 21. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21837/pm.v21i29.1380
MacKinnon, D. P., Warsi, G., & Dwyer, J. H. (1995). A simulation study of mediated effect measures. Multivariate behavioral research, 30(1), 41-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327906mbr3001_3
Mayer, F. S., & Frantz, C. M. (2004). The connectedness to nature scale: A measure of individuals’ feeling in community with nature. Journal of environmental psychology, 24(4), 503-515. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2004.10.001
Meuwese, D., van der Voort, N., Dijkstra, K., Krabbendam, L., & Maas, J. (2021). The Value of Nature During Psychotherapy: A Qualitative Study of Client Experiences. Frontiers in Psychology, 12, 765177. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.765177
Moreira, T. C., Polize, J. L., Brito, M., da Silva Filho, D. F., Chiavegato Filho, A. D., Viana, M. C., Andrade, L. H., & Mauad, T. (2022). Assessing the impact of urban environment and green infrastructure on mental health: Results from the São Paulo Megacity Mental Health Survey. Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, 32(2), 205-212. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41370-021-00349-x
Mulaik, S. A., James, L. R., Van Alstine, J., Bennett, N., Lind, S., & Stilwell, C. D. (1989). Evaluation of goodness-of-fit indices for structural equation models. Psychological bulletin, 105(3), 430. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.105.3.430
Nunally, J. (1978). C. (1978). Psychometric Theory. ). Auflage, New York.
Phuoc Nguyen, C. T., & Nguyen, Q.-A. N. (2022). Is nature relatedness associated with better mental health? An exploratory study on Vietnamese university students. Journal of American College Health, 1-8. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2022.2089847
Qiao, Y., Chen, Z., Chen, Y., & Zheng, T. (2021). Deciphering the link between mental health and green space in Shenzhen, China: the mediating impact of residents' satisfaction. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 561809. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.561809
Ribeiro, A. I., Triguero-Mas, M., Santos, C. J., Gómez-Nieto, A., Cole, H., Anguelovski, I., Silva, F. M., & Baró, F. (2021). Exposure to nature and mental health outcomes during COVID-19 lockdown. A comparison between Portugal and Spain. Environment international, 154, 106664. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2021.106664
Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being. American psychologist, 55(1), 68. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0003-066X.55.1.68
Schertz, K. E., & Berman, M. G. (2019). Understanding nature and its cognitive benefits. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 28(5), 496-502. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0963721419854100
Shrout, P. E., & Bolger, N. (2002). Mediation in experimental and nonexperimental studies: new procedures and recommendations. Psychological methods, 7(4), 422. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//1082-989X.7.4.422
Tae, J., Jeong, D., & Chon, J. (2022). How Can Apartment-Complex Landscaping Space Improve Residents’ Psychological Well-Being? The Case of the Capital Region in South Korea. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(16), 10231. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191610231
Trammell, J. P., & Aguilar, S. C. (2021). Natural is not always better: the varied effects of a natural environment and exercise on affect and cognition. Frontiers in Psychology, 11, 575245. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575245
Ulrich, R. S., Simons, R. F., Losito, B. D., Fiorito, E., Miles, M. A., & Zelson, M. (1991). Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of environmental psychology, 11(3), 201-230. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7
UnitedNations. (2018). 68% of the world population projected to live in urban areas by 2050, says UN. https://www.un.org/development/desa/en/news/population/2018-revision-of-world-urbanization-prospects.html
Vlachopoulos, S. P. (2008). The basic psychological needs in exercise scale: measurement invariance over gender. Structural Equation Modeling: A Multidisciplinary Journal, 15(1), 114-135. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10705510701758398
Wang, Y., Luo, F., Gazal, K. A., Wen, Y., Lei, H., & Xiao, Z. (2023). Exploring the Impact of Psychological Accessibility on the Restorative Perception in Urban Forests: A Case Study of Yuelu Mountain, Central China. Forests, 14(4), 721. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/f14040721
Watson, D., Clark, L. A., & Tellegen, A. (1988). Development and validation of brief measures of positive and negative affect: the PANAS scales. Journal of personality and social psychology, 54(6), 1063. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037//0022-3514.54.6.1063
Wei, W., Qian, X., Lin, Q., Zheng, Q., Cao, Y., & Chen, X. (2022). Evaluating resource utilization efficiency in urban land construction of Yangtze river economic zone under technological progress. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 10, 2209. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2022.1039028
West, S. G., Taylor, A. B., & Wu, W. (2012). Model fit and model selection in structural equation modeling. Handbook of structural equation modeling, 1, 209-231.
Wilson, E. O. (1986). Biophilia. Harvard university press.
Wu, Z., Chen, R., Meadows, M. E., Sengupta, D., & Xu, D. (2019). Changing urban green spaces in Shanghai: Trends, drivers and policy implications. Land use policy, 87, 104080. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2019.104080
Xie, M., Mao, Y., & Yang, R. (2022). Flow experience and city identity in the restorative environment: A conceptual model and nature-based intervention. Frontiers in Public Health, 10, 1011890. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.1011890
Yang, Y., Cai, H., Yang, Z., Zhao, X., Li, M., Han, R., & Chen, S. X. (2022). Why does nature enhance psychological well-being? A Self-Determination account. Journal of environmental psychology, 83, 101872. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2022.101872
Zhu, Z., Hassan, A., Wang, W., & Chen, Q. (2022). Relationship between PSD of Park Green Space and Attention Restoration in Dense Urban Areas. Brain Sciences, 12(6), 721. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/brainsci12060721
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 3.0 Unported License.
Copyright & Creative Commons Licence
eISSN: 0128-0945 © Year. The Authors. Published for Malaysia Institute of Planners. This is an open-access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license.
The authors hold the copyright without restrictions and also retain publishing rights without restrictions.