The association between proximity to urban green and mental health in Utrecht, the Netherlands

Abstract

Urban green space is proven to have a positive effect on mental health by attention restoration and stress recovery. Living closer to urban green is associated with improved mental health and a lower chance of developing psychological disorders. Research, however, remains inconclusive on its underlying pathways. Therefore, it is necessary to further identify the underlying characteristics regarding the association between urban green and mental health. The aim of this study was thus to investigate the association between the proximity of urban green space and mental health, with a further understanding of the underlying pathways based on personal, environmental and social characteristics. A questionnaire was used to acquire self-reported data on personal wellbeing, resilience and mental illness in which 6.854 participants from Utrecht were analysed cross-sectionally. Proximity to urban green was analysed by a straight-line distance (<300m, 300-600m and 600-900m) from the residence to the nearest city park, using GIS. Mental health constructs were separately modelled with regression analysis. A statistically significant association was found between proximity to urban green and mental illness. This association was dependent on the environmental pathway in which noise nuisance, home ownership and appreciation for the dwelling were important factors. No significant associations were found between proximity to urban green and personal wellbeing or resilience. Policies that help in fighting mental illness by urban green should thus focus on environmental pathways before looking at other characteristics. People living close to urban green might benefit more from the effect urban green has via the environment, than via the personal or social characteristics.