Green Space and Mental Health outcomes: a cross-sectional survey as a starting point to bridge Green Areas' features to the post-pandemic needs. (20th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lindert, J; Sisenop, F
• Is Part Of: European journal of public health. Volume 31(2021)Supplement 3
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20
• Subjects: Epidemiology -- Europe -- Periodicals; Public health -- Europe -- Periodicals; 362.109405
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckab164.494
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1101-1262

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Green space has been associated with health and mental health. Given the high prevalence of mental disorders and costs of worldwide mental ill health and the concurrent rise in mental disorders during the pandemic, there is a need of a better understanding of the impact of different types of green space on mental health. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of characteristics of green space on mental health in a population in a rural area of Germany. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey based on face-to-face on an online assessment instrument. The instrument consisted of sociodemographic questions (assessing age, gender, income, education), mental health related question (PHQ - 9). Green space was dichotomized into green space with agrarian features and green space without agrarian features and subsequently geocoded using ATkis TN. Results: In total n = 484 persons participated (female: 240 (49, 6%), male: N = 239 (49, 9%), n= missing). Mean age was 58, 17 years (SD: 18, 83) with an age range of 19-96 years. Depression symptoms showed n = 122 (54.9%) persons. Green space without agrarian features was associated with lower symptom levels of depression (Beta: 0.045, SE: 0.023, p = 0.015). However, green space with agrarian features was not related to depression. Discussion: Characteristics of green spaces are associated with better mental health; however, the clear definition of quality green space needs further elaboration. The sample is a rural sample and results need further validation in an urban sample. Outlook: In the post-pandemic era green space itself seems to have no impact on mental health, however quality green space does. These results need further validation in multinational studies.