Associations of Residential Greenness with Depression and Anxiety in Rural Chinese Adults

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Depression and anxiety are top contributors to non-fatal health loss globally. Several studies have indicated the association between residential greenness and mental health. METHOD: The participants (n = 27,366) were recruited from four counties in Henan Province, China during 2015-2017. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were evaluated using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-2 (GAD-2) in the baseline survey. The level of residential greenness during the 3-year period before the baseline survey was assessed using the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI). The mixed-effect linear regression model was applied to examine the associations of residential greenness with depression and anxiety. RESULTS: The results of adjusted models showed that the score of PHQ-2 (Δscore and 95% confidence interval [CI]) decreased by -0.024 (-0.041, -0.006) and -0.022 (-0.038, -0.004) with an interquartile range (IQR) increase in NDVI and EVI within a 1,000-m buffer radius, respectively. The score of GAD-2 (Δscore and 95% CI) decreased by -0.024 (-0.040, -0.006) and -0.028 (-0.044, -0.011), in relation to an IQR increase in NDVI and EVI within a 1,000-m buffer radius, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A higher level of residential greenness was significantly associated with lower risk of depression and anxiety in rural areas of Henan Province. Improving residential greenness accessibility may help to promote the mental health of rural populations.