Do Physical Activity, Social Cohesion, and Loneliness Mediate the Association Between Time Spent Visiting Green Space and Mental Health?
2017/11/14 by Magdalena M. van den Berg, Mireille N. M. van Poppel, Mireille van Poppel +13 · 178 citations
Environmental Science · Health Professions · Medicine · Psychology · #Association (psychology) #Clinical psychology #Cohesion (chemistry) #Gerontology #Loneliness #Mediation #Medicine #Mental health #Multilevel model #Noise Effects and Management #Physical health #Psychiatry #Psychology #Social psychology #Sociology #Urban Green Space and Health #Urban Heat Island Mitigation #Vitality
paper · pdf · doi:10.1177/0013916517738563
published in Environment and Behavior 51(2), 144-166 (SAGE Publishing)
openalex publication_date 2017/11/14 · openalex created_date 2017/12/04 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/04
Abstract
This cross-sectional study investigated whether physical activity, social cohesion, and loneliness mediate the association between time spent visiting green spaces and perceived mental health and vitality. Questionnaire data were collected from 3,948 residents from 124 neighborhoods across four European cities. Multilevel linear regression analysis revealed positive, but weak, associations between time spent visiting green space and Medical Outcome Study Short Form (SF-36) mental health and vitality score, which suggest small mental health benefits. Single mediation analyses showed that different indicators of physical activity (total, during leisure time, and walking during leisure time), social cohesion, and loneliness were mediators. Multiple mediation analyses showed that physical activity during leisure time and loneliness may explain about 25% of the relationship. The unmediated part of the association suggests that other mediators may explain the association.
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