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Do physical activity social cohesion, and loneliness mediate the association between time spent visiting green space and mental health?
van den Berg, Magdalena M. van Poppel, Mireille van Kamp, Irene Ruijsbroek, Annemarie Triguero-Mas, Margarita Gidlow, Christopher Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J. Gražulevičiene, Regina van Mechelen, Willem Kruize, Hanneke
van den Berg, Magdalena M.
van Poppel, Mireille
van Kamp, Irene
Ruijsbroek, Annemarie
Triguero-Mas, Margarita
Gidlow, Christopher
Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.
Gražulevičiene, Regina
van Mechelen, Willem
Kruize, Hanneke
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.
Keywords
time spent visiting green space, mental health, vitality, mediation analysis, social cohesion, loneliness, cross-sectional study, physical activity
Date
2019
Type
Journal article
Journal
Environment and Behavior
Book
Volume
51
Issue
2
Page Range
144-166
Article Number
ACU Department
Mary MacKillop Institute for Health Research
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty of Health Sciences
Collections
Relation URI
Source URL
Event URL
Open Access Status
Open access
License
CC BY-NC 4.0
File Access
Open