P04.54. Natural health service: enhancing wellbeing with group walks in green spaces

Abstract

Methods A quasi-experimental research design investigated the mental health and wellbeing among adults living in England who had participated in WfH during 2011 (n=1,968) and those who had not (n=1,412). An online questionnaire assessed participants’ mental wellbeing, depression, affect, perceived stress, psychological resiliency, and social support at baseline and 13-weeks follow-up. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare mean scores at baseline. Participants with missing responses on a scale were excluded from that particular analysis. Results Adults who attended WfH walks had significantly greater mental wellbeing (p<0.01; effect size d=0.19), greater positive affect (p<0.01; d=0.11), fewer depressive symptoms (p<0.01; d=0.30), less negative affect (p<0.01; d=0.34), and less perceived stress (p<0.01, d=0.31) than adults who did not participate in WfH walks. The two groups did not differ in protective measures of social support (p=0.525) and resiliency (p=0.811), which could contribute to differential mental health and wellbeing. Conclusion This research demonstrates the value of using organized group walks in the natural environment for positive mental health and wellbeing. Green space group walks are possibly a cost-effective way to improve mental health. They may also be an alternative treatment for common mental health disorders.