The impact of green spaces on mental health in urban settings: a scoping review

Abstract

Background: Our planet is currently experiencing the largest wave of urban growth in history, with 55% of the world's population (4.2 billion people) currently living in urban areas, a figure set to rise to 70% by 2050. Primary care is the first point of treatment for most mental health disorders. Since the urban environment and health are intrinsically linked, it is useful to examine the effectiveness of Nature-Based Solutions in addressing mental health.

Aims: The aim of this scoping review was to examine "How urban green spaces can improve mental health and wellbeing among patients attending general practice and primary care?"

Methods: The scoping review framework comprised a five-stage process developed by Arksey and O'Malley.

Results: Twenty-five studies were included in the review, mostly cross-sectional studies. A wide range of mental health outcomes were identified. Out of the 25 included studies, 23 showed positive associations between mental health and green space characteristics.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that while green spaces are associated with positive mental health outcomes, most studies were cross-sectional in nature and provided limited evidence for association. Furthermore, the population samples used in most of the studies were taken from national survey data and were not specifically primary care patients. Further studies that assess primary care patients specifically are warranted.

Keywords: Urban environment; green spaces; mental health.