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Moving to Serene Nature May Prevent Poor Mental Health—Results from a Swedish Longitudinal Cohort Study

Author

Listed:
  • Matilda Annerstedt Van den Bosch

    (Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-23053 Alnarp, Sweden)

  • Per-Olof Östergren

    (Department of Community Health, Malmö University Hospital, Lund University, S-20502 Malmö, Sweden)

  • Patrik Grahn

    (Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-23053 Alnarp, Sweden
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Erik Skärbäck

    (Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-23053 Alnarp, Sweden
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Peter Währborg

    (Faculty of Landscape Architecture, Horticulture and Crop Production Science, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, S-23053 Alnarp, Sweden)

Abstract

Green spaces are recognized for improving mental health, but what particular kind of nature is required is yet not elucidated. This study explores the effect of specific types of recreational nature qualities on mental health. Longitudinal data (1999/2000 and 2005) from a public health survey was distributed to a stratified sample ( n = 24,945) of a Swedish population. People from rural or suburban areas ( n = 9230) who had moved between baseline and follow-up ( n = 1419) were studied. Individual geographic residence codes were linked to five predefined nature qualities, classified in geographic information systems (GIS). Any change in the amount of or type of qualities within 300 m distance between baseline and follow-up was correlated to any change in mental health (as measured by the General Health Questionnaire) by logistic regression models. On average, the population had limited access to nature qualities both pre- and post-move. There was no significant correlation between change in the amount of qualities and change in mental health. However, the specific quality “serene” was a significant determinant with a significantly decreased risk for women of change to mental ill-health at follow-up. The objective definition of the potentially health-promoting quality may facilitate implication in landscape practice and healthy planning.

Suggested Citation

  • Matilda Annerstedt Van den Bosch & Per-Olof Östergren & Patrik Grahn & Erik Skärbäck & Peter Währborg, 2015. "Moving to Serene Nature May Prevent Poor Mental Health—Results from a Swedish Longitudinal Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:12:y:2015:i:7:p:7974-7989:d:52514
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jesper J. Alvarsson & Stefan Wiens & Mats E. Nilsson, 2010. "Stress Recovery during Exposure to Nature Sound and Environmental Noise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-11, March.
    2. Greenland, S., 1989. "Modeling and variable selection in epidemiologic analysis," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 79(3), pages 340-349.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Nadja Kabisch & Dagmar Haase & Matilda Annerstedt van den Bosch, 2016. "Adding Natural Areas to Social Indicators of Intra-Urban Health Inequalities among Children: A Case Study from Berlin, Germany," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-20, August.
    2. Eva Sahlin & Björn Johansson & Per-Olof Karlsson & Jenny Loberg & Mats Niklasson & Patrik Grahn, 2019. "Improved Wellbeing for Both Caretakers and Users from A Zoo-Related Nature Based Intervention—A Study at Nordens Ark Zoo, Sweden," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-23, December.
    3. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    4. Jorge H. Amorim & Magnuz Engardt & Christer Johansson & Isabel Ribeiro & Magnus Sannebro, 2021. "Regulating and Cultural Ecosystem Services of Urban Green Infrastructure in the Nordic Countries: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-19, January.
    5. Yang Zhang & Agnes E. Van den Berg & Terry Van Dijk & Gerd Weitkamp, 2017. "Quality over Quantity: Contribution of Urban Green Space to Neighborhood Satisfaction," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-10, May.
    6. Kaowen Grace Chang & Hungju Chien, 2017. "The Influences of Landscape Features on Visitation of Hospital Green Spaces—A Choice Experiment Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-15, July.
    7. Young-Shin Park & Barbara J. McMorris & Lisiane Pruinelli & Ying Song & Merrie J. Kaas & Jean F. Wyman, 2021. "Use of Geographic Information Systems to Explore Associations between Neighborhood Attributes and Mental Health Outcomes in Adults: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-28, August.

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