The Importance of the Outdoor Environment for the Recovery of Psychiatric Patients: A Scoping Review

Mikkel Hjort (), Martin Mau, Michaela Høj and Kirsten K. Roessler
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Mikkel Hjort: Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
Martin Mau: Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark
Michaela Høj: Mental Health Center Ballerup, Competence Center for Rehabilitation and Recovery, 2750 Ballerup, Denmark
Kirsten K. Roessler: Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, Denmark

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 20, issue 3, 1-12

Abstract: (1) Background: Research has shown that patients with mental health diagnoses experience less anxiety and depressive symptoms and higher levels of ‘well-being’ when they spend time in natural environments as part of their treatment. It has been suggested that there is a relationship between the outdoor settings and the recovery of psychiatric patients. Recovery describes an individual process, which can vary from person to person. (2) Methods: This scoping review examined the relationship between the physical environment and the recovery of psychiatric patients. Systematic searches in three online databases, namely Medline, Embase, and PsycINFO, were performed using a selection of psychiatric, environmental, and recovery terms and included both quantitative and qualitative studies. In general, ‘well-being’ serves as an overarching indicator when it comes to research on how outdoor settings can affect mental health. Well-being was expressed in terms of mood, social relations, and autonomy. (3) Results: A total of 8138 records were screened, 85 studies were included for full-text reading, and five articles were included in the final analysis. The review showed in general that outdoor settings, more specifically gardening, contact with nature, and a safe environment can be related to the well-being of patients on psychiatric wards. (4) Conclusions: The five reviews allow us to conclude that outdoor settings can be seen as a comprehensive resource for mental health.

Keywords: recovery; rehabilitation; mental health; well-being; therapeutic landscapes; gardening; nature; psychiatric (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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