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The Importance of the Outdoor Environment for the Recovery of Psychiatric Patients: A Scoping Review

Author

Listed:
  • Mikkel Hjort

    (Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Martin Mau

    (Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
    Health, Social Work and Welfare Research, UCL University College, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

  • Michaela Høj

    (Mental Health Center Ballerup, Competence Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark)

  • Kirsten K. Roessler

    (Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark)

Abstract

(1) Background: Research has shown that patients with mental health diagnoses experience less anxiety and depressive symptoms and higher levels of ‘well-being’ when they spend time in natural environments as part of their treatment. It has been suggested that there is a relationship between the outdoor settings and the recovery of psychiatric patients. Recovery describes an individual process, which can vary from person to person. (2) Methods: This scoping review examined the relationship between the physical environment and the recovery of psychiatric patients. Systematic searches in three online databases, namely Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO, were performed using a selection of psychiatric, environmental, and recovery terms and included both quantitative and qualitative studies. In general, ‘well-being’ serves as an overarching indicator when it comes to research on how outdoor settings can affect mental health. Well-being was expressed in terms of mood, social relations, and autonomy. (3) Results: A total of 8138 records were screened, 85 studies were included for full-text reading, and five articles were included in the final analysis. The review showed in general that outdoor settings, more specifically gardening, contact with nature, and a safe environment can be related to the well-being of patients on psychiatric wards. (4) Conclusions: The five reviews allow us to conclude that outdoor settings can be seen as a comprehensive resource for mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Mikkel Hjort & Martin Mau & Michaela Høj & Kirsten K. Roessler, 2023. "The Importance of the Outdoor Environment for the Recovery of Psychiatric Patients: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:3:p:2240-:d:1047777
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Martin Mau & Anders Aaby & Søren Harnow Klausen & Kirsten Kaya Roessler, 2021. "Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-22, July.
    2. Simon Høegmark & Tonny Elmose Andersen & Patrik Grahn & Anna Mejldal & Kirsten K. Roessler, 2021. "The Wildman Programme—Rehabilitation and Reconnection with Nature for Men with Mental or Physical Health Problems—A Matched-Control Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-20, October.
    3. Eva Sahlin & Gunnar Ahlborg & Artur Tenenbaum & Patrik Grahn, 2015. "Using Nature-Based Rehabilitation to Restart a Stalled Process of Rehabilitation in Individuals with Stress-Related Mental Illness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-24, February.
    4. Andrea Abraham & Kathrin Sommerhalder & Thomas Abel, 2010. "Landscape and well-being: a scoping study on the health-promoting impact of outdoor environments," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 55(1), pages 59-69, February.
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