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Perceived Benefits of Nature in Diverse Populations

Author

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  • Joy L. Hart

    (Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
    Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, Physiology Division, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Kandi L. Walker

    (Department of Communication, College of Arts and Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
    Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, Physiology Division, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Cameron K. Stopforth

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, Physiology Division, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Anna Simpson

    (School of Public Health, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA)

  • Aruni Bhatnagar

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, Physiology Division, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

  • Rachel J. Keith

    (Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute, School of Medicine, Physiology Division, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40202, USA)

Abstract

The relationship between socioeconomic and demographic characteristics and health effects of green spaces has been studied, suggesting that certain groups may reap more health benefits from exposure to nature. However, the link between the perceived benefits of nature and socioeconomic and demographic characteristics remains a gap in the literature. We used a subsample ( n = 711, 2018–2019) from an environmental cardiovascular risk cohort to investigate the perceived benefits of nature. Participants completed an 11-item survey about their perceptions of the benefits of nature at in-person visits. Socioeconomic and demographic characteristics including income, education, race, biological sex at birth, and age, were self-reported. Generalized linear models were used to evaluate associations between the perceived benefits of nature and demographic and socioeconomic factors; odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) are reported. Both unadjusted and fully adjusted models for race, age, sex, and education are reported. Our results suggest that participants who identified as male, a member of a minoritized population, and/or completing less education perceived nature as less beneficial. Although additional research is needed to better understand contributors to these perceptions, access to convenient, safe, and multi-use green spaces may be important in encouraging time in nature and shifting perceptions of the benefits of greenness.

Suggested Citation

  • Joy L. Hart & Kandi L. Walker & Cameron K. Stopforth & Anna Simpson & Aruni Bhatnagar & Rachel J. Keith, 2025. "Perceived Benefits of Nature in Diverse Populations," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-11, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:4:p:563-:d:1628254
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    2. Maraja Riechers & Micha Strack & Jan Barkmann & Teja Tscharntke, 2019. "Cultural Ecosystem Services Provided by Urban Green Change along an Urban-Periurban Gradient," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-10, January.
    3. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    4. Phi-Yen Nguyen & Thomas Astell-Burt & Hania Rahimi-Ardabili & Xiaoqi Feng, 2021. "Green Space Quality and Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(21), pages 1-38, October.
    5. Matthew H. E. M. Browning & Alessandro Rigolon, 2018. "Do Income, Race and Ethnicity, and Sprawl Influence the Greenspace-Human Health Link in City-Level Analyses? Findings from 496 Cities in the United States," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-22, July.
    6. Viniece Jennings & Alessandro Rigolon & Jasmine Thompson & Athena Murray & Ariel Henderson & Richard Schulterbrandt Gragg, 2024. "The Dynamic Relationship between Social Cohesion and Urban Green Space in Diverse Communities: Opportunities and Challenges to Public Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-17, June.
    7. Margaret M. Hansen & Reo Jones & Kirsten Tocchini, 2017. "Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing) and Nature Therapy: A State-of-the-Art Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-48, July.
    8. Jenny Roe & Peter A. Aspinall & Catharine Ward Thompson, 2016. "Understanding Relationships between Health, Ethnicity, Place and the Role of Urban Green Space in Deprived Urban Communities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-21, July.
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