Abstract
associations. We examined the association of perceived ‘greenness’ of a neighbourhood with physical and mental health, and explored whether walking and social factors (social coherence and local social interaction) account for the relationship between them. This cross-sectional study used a mailed survey to collect the following data from adults living in Adelaide, Australia (n=1,833); physical and mental health scores (SF-12), perceived greenness in their neighbourhood, amount of walking for recreation and for transport, social coherence, local social interaction and socio-demographic variables. Perceived neighbourhood greenness was significantly associated with better mental and physical health. Walking for recreation (but not walking for transport) was a significant predictor of physical health, while recreational walking and social coherence had significant, independent associations with mental health. After adjusting for recreational walking, social coherence and local social interaction, the association between greenness and physical health became non-significant, however the relationship between greenness and mental health remained significant. This study shows the significance of neighbourhood green space for adults’ physical and mental health. Greenness was found to be more strongly associated with mental health than it was with physical health. Walking for recreation seemed to explain the association of greenness with physical health, while the relationship between greenness and mental health was not fully accounted for by recreational walking and social coherence. Restorative effects of exposure to nature may be involved in the latter relationship.
Published Version
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