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Progress on Relationship between Natural Environment and Mental Health in China

Author

Listed:
  • Dongfang Zhu

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Linsheng Zhong

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
    College of Resources and Environment, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China)

  • Hu Yu

    (Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China)

Abstract

Natural environment has a positive effect on individual mental health, which can be proved by many studies, both domestic and overseas. At present, some sunrise industries such as forest healthcare and natural tourism are booming in China. However, academically speaking, there’s still a lack of systematic summary of researches on the relationship between natural environment and mental health in China, as well as a lack of comparison with foreign research achievements, which hinders the further development of the field to some extent in China. Therefore, this paper reviews the literature systematically by using the database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), in order to understand the research status in China and find out its gap with foreign studies. The results show that the study in this area in China can be divided into three stages, namely the embryonic stage (prior to 2000), the start-up stage (2001–2008) and the stage of initial development (since 2009); disciplines involved in the study mainly cover forestry, agriculture, psychology, medicine, sports science, tourism, ecology, education and geography. In general, the research in China concentrates on four topics: ecological psychology, the impact of natural ecological environment on mental health, the impact of artificial ecological environment on mental health, as well as the impact of natural tourism on mental health. Based on the findings, a future study framework and some main study lines are suggested: firstly, a systematic study on the relationship between natural environment and mental health in other countries should be conducted; secondly, factors affecting mental health in natural environment should be identified; thirdly, an evaluation system of psychological effect of natural environment should be established; finally, the utilization modes and influencing mechanism of natural environment should be explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Dongfang Zhu & Linsheng Zhong & Hu Yu, 2021. "Progress on Relationship between Natural Environment and Mental Health in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:2:p:991-:d:483132
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Melissa R. Marselle & Katherine N. Irvine & Sara L. Warber, 2013. "Walking for Well-Being: Are Group Walks in Certain Types of Natural Environments Better for Well-Being than Group Walks in Urban Environments?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-26, October.
    2. Hiroko Ochiai & Chorong Song & Hyunju Jo & Masayuki Oishi & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2020. "Relaxing Effect Induced by Forest Sound in Patients with Gambling Disorder," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(15), pages 1-9, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ralf C. Buckley & Mary-Ann Cooper, 2022. "Tourism as a Tool in Nature-Based Mental Health: Progress and Prospects Post-Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Yanyan Zhang & Meng Wang & Junyi Li & Jianxia Chang & Huan Lu, 2022. "Do Greener Urban Streets Provide Better Emotional Experiences? An Experimental Study on Chinese Tourists," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-21, December.
    3. Yating Song & Xuefei Lin, 2022. "The Effects of Exercise and Social Interaction in Different Natural Environments on the Mental Health of Urban Residents," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-15, October.
    4. Cao Chaoyi & Liu Huijuan & Wang Zhenbin, 2025. "Influencing factors of tourist loyalty in China camping destinations based on Expectation Confirmation Theory: the mediating role of satisfaction and well-being," Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, December.

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