Health and Wellbeing Benefits from Nature Experiences in Tropical Settings Depend on Strength of Connection to Nature.
Int J Environ Res Public Health
; 18(19)2021 09 27.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1463641
ABSTRACT
A growing number of policies and programmes in cities aim to increase the time people spend in nature for the health and wellbeing benefits delivered by such interactions. Yet, there is little research investigating the extent to which, and for whom, nature experiences deliver such benefits outside Europe, North America, and Australia. Here, we assessed the relationships between nature dose (frequency, duration, and intensity) and three mental wellbeing (depression, stress, and anxiety) and two physical health (high blood pressure, diabetes) outcomes in Singapore, an intensely urbanised tropical city. Our analyses accounted for individual factors, including socio-economic status, nature connection (nature relatedness), and whether people with poor health are prevented by their condition from visiting green spaces. Our results show that the association between nature dose (specifically duration) and mental wellbeing is moderated by a nature connection. Specifically, people with a stronger nature connection were less likely to be depressed, stressed, and anxious, regardless of the duration of their nature dose. For those with a weaker connection to nature, spending longer in nature was associated with being more depressed, stressed, and anxious. We did not find a relationship between nature dose and high blood pressure or diabetes. Our results highlight that the relationship between nature dose and wellbeing might vary substantially among cities.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Family
/
Parks, Recreational
Type of study:
Qualitative research
Limits:
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
/
Oceania
Language:
English
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ijerph181910149
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