Health and Wellbeing Benefits from Nature Experiences in Tropical Settings Depend on Strength of Connection to Nature

Rachel R. Y. Oh, Kelly S. Fielding, Chia-Chen Chang, Le T. P. Nghiem, Claudia L. Y. Tan, Shimona A. Quazi, Danielle F. Shanahan, Kevin J. Gaston, L. Roman Carrasco () and Richard A. Fuller
Additional contact information
Rachel R. Y. Oh: Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Kelly S. Fielding: School of Communication and Arts, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia
Chia-Chen Chang: Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
Le T. P. Nghiem: Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
Claudia L. Y. Tan: Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117558, Singapore
Shimona A. Quazi: National Parks Board, Singapore 259569, Singapore
Danielle F. Shanahan: Zealandia Centre for People and Nature, Wellington 6012, New Zealand
Kevin J. Gaston: Environment & Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
Richard A. Fuller: Centre for Biodiversity and Conservation Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane 4072, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-16

Abstract: A growing number of policies and programmes in cities aim to increase the time people spend in nature for the health and wellbeing benefits delivered by such interactions. Yet, there is little research investigating the extent to which, and for whom, nature experiences deliver such benefits outside Europe, North America, and Australia. Here, we assessed the relationships between nature dose (frequency, duration, and intensity) and three mental wellbeing (depression, stress, and anxiety) and two physical health (high blood pressure, diabetes) outcomes in Singapore, an intensely urbanised tropical city. Our analyses accounted for individual factors, including socio-economic status, nature connection (nature relatedness), and whether people with poor health are prevented by their condition from visiting green spaces. Our results show that the association between nature dose (specifically duration) and mental wellbeing is moderated by a nature connection. Specifically, people with a stronger nature connection were less likely to be depressed, stressed, and anxious, regardless of the duration of their nature dose. For those with a weaker connection to nature, spending longer in nature was associated with being more depressed, stressed, and anxious. We did not find a relationship between nature dose and high blood pressure or diabetes. Our results highlight that the relationship between nature dose and wellbeing might vary substantially among cities.

Keywords: urbanisation; public health; health and wellbeing; nature exposure; nature experiences; nature dose (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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