What are the psychological and cognitive wellbeing benefits as reported by people experiencing green space? A meta-ethnography

Abstract

The world is increasingly subject to urbanisation. This has been associated with deleterious effects on mental health, as urban living can decrease access to green space. The benefits of green space for wellbeing have been investigated by a widely interdisciplinary field, however the majority of the evidence base is quantitative and does not offer exploration of individual experiences. This qualitative synthesis offers insight into the psychological and cognitive benefits reported by individuals experiencing green space. Following a systematic electronic database and hand-search of qualitative and mixed-methods studies from 2009 to the present, a meta-ethnography was undertaken. The thematic findings of the studies were related and translated into each other to give new third order constructs. These were then juxtaposed, and thematic constructs grouped to form an explanatory theoretical model. 141 studies were screened at full text. 23 studies were included. 11 constructs were identified: Memory/connection, Freedom/escape, Peace/restoration, Symbolism/metaphor/perspective, Social, Not restorative, Agency, Sensory, Safety/protection, Emotion and Different way of thinking. A novel theoretical model was developed which proposes that the concepts “sense of self and others” together with “altered thinking” contribute to psychological wellbeing via the filter of “emotional processes”. A sense of self and others is an important part of the pathway for mental wellbeing in green space, demonstrating a need for individual and contextual factors to be included in future theory. Specific research and policy recommendations are discussed, especially in light of the green space inequality highlighted by the current COVID-19 pandemic.