Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review
IntroductionGreenspaces can provide an important resource for human mental health. A growing body of literature investigates the interaction and the influence of diverse greenspace exposures. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex connection between greenspace and mental healt...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2024-03-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360134/full |
| _version_ | 1797272227396190208 |
|---|---|
| author | Julius Freymueller Hannah-Lea Schmid Ben Senkler Susanne Lopez Lumbi Stefan Zerbe Stefan Zerbe Claudia Hornberg Timothy McCall Timothy McCall |
| author_facet | Julius Freymueller Hannah-Lea Schmid Ben Senkler Susanne Lopez Lumbi Stefan Zerbe Stefan Zerbe Claudia Hornberg Timothy McCall Timothy McCall |
| author_sort | Julius Freymueller |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionGreenspaces can provide an important resource for human mental health. A growing body of literature investigates the interaction and the influence of diverse greenspace exposures. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex connection between greenspace and mental health, a variety of perspectives and methodological combinations are needed. The aim of this review is to assess the current methodologies researching greenspace and mental health.MethodsA scoping review was conducted. Four electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. A wide range of greenspace and mental health keywords were included to provide a comprehensive representation of the body of research. Relevant information on publication characteristics, types of greenspaces, mental health outcomes, and measurements of greenspace exposure and mental health was extracted and assessed.Results338 studies were included. The included studies encompassed a multitude of methods, as well as outcomes for both greenspace and mental health. 28 combinations were found between seven categories each for greenspace and mental health assessment. Some pairings such as geoinformation systems for greenspace assessment and questionnaires investigating mental health were used much more frequently than others, implying possible research gaps. Furthermore, we identified problems and inconsistences in reporting of greenspace types and mental health outcomes.DiscussionThe identified methodological variety is a potential for researching the complex connections between greenspace and mental health. Commonly used combinations can provide important insights. However, future research needs to emphasize other perspectives in order to understand how to create living environments with mental health benefits. For this purpose, interdisciplinary research is necessary. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:25:18Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-85d2b5484f774ec9b1936e8b92f5af7e |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T14:25:18Z |
| publishDate | 2024-03-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj.art-85d2b5484f774ec9b1936e8b92f5af7e2024-03-06T08:46:21ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652024-03-011210.3389/fpubh.2024.13601341360134Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping reviewJulius Freymueller0Hannah-Lea Schmid1Ben Senkler2Susanne Lopez Lumbi3Stefan Zerbe4Stefan Zerbe5Claudia Hornberg6Timothy McCall7Timothy McCall8Medical School OWL, Department of Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyMedical School OWL, Department of Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyMedical School OWL, Department of Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyMedical School OWL, Department of Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyFaculty of Agricultural, Environmental and Food Sciences, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, ItalyInstitute of Geography, University of Hildesheim, Hildesheim, GermanyMedical School OWL, Department of Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyMedical School OWL, Department of Sustainable Environmental Health Sciences, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanySchool of Public Health, Department of Environment and Health, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, GermanyIntroductionGreenspaces can provide an important resource for human mental health. A growing body of literature investigates the interaction and the influence of diverse greenspace exposures. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex connection between greenspace and mental health, a variety of perspectives and methodological combinations are needed. The aim of this review is to assess the current methodologies researching greenspace and mental health.MethodsA scoping review was conducted. Four electronic databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsycInfo, Web of Science) were searched for relevant studies. A wide range of greenspace and mental health keywords were included to provide a comprehensive representation of the body of research. Relevant information on publication characteristics, types of greenspaces, mental health outcomes, and measurements of greenspace exposure and mental health was extracted and assessed.Results338 studies were included. The included studies encompassed a multitude of methods, as well as outcomes for both greenspace and mental health. 28 combinations were found between seven categories each for greenspace and mental health assessment. Some pairings such as geoinformation systems for greenspace assessment and questionnaires investigating mental health were used much more frequently than others, implying possible research gaps. Furthermore, we identified problems and inconsistences in reporting of greenspace types and mental health outcomes.DiscussionThe identified methodological variety is a potential for researching the complex connections between greenspace and mental health. Commonly used combinations can provide important insights. However, future research needs to emphasize other perspectives in order to understand how to create living environments with mental health benefits. For this purpose, interdisciplinary research is necessary.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360134/fullgreenspacemental healthmethodologynatural outdoor environmentsnaturewell-being |
| spellingShingle | Julius Freymueller Hannah-Lea Schmid Ben Senkler Susanne Lopez Lumbi Stefan Zerbe Stefan Zerbe Claudia Hornberg Timothy McCall Timothy McCall Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review Frontiers in Public Health greenspace mental health methodology natural outdoor environments nature well-being |
| title | Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review |
| title_full | Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review |
| title_short | Current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research—a scoping review |
| title_sort | current methodologies of greenspace exposure and mental health research a scoping review |
| topic | greenspace mental health methodology natural outdoor environments nature well-being |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1360134/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT juliusfreymueller currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT hannahleaschmid currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT bensenkler currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT susannelopezlumbi currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT stefanzerbe currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT stefanzerbe currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT claudiahornberg currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT timothymccall currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview AT timothymccall currentmethodologiesofgreenspaceexposureandmentalhealthresearchascopingreview |