Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales

Joanne K. Garrett; Francis M. Rowney; Mathew P. White; Rebecca Lovell; Rich J. Fry; Ashley Akbari; Rebecca Geary; Ronan A. Lyons; Amy Mizen; Mark Nieuwenhuijsen; Chrissie Parker; Jiao Song; Gareth Stratton; Daniel A. Thompson; Alan Watkins; James White; Susan A. Williams; Sarah E. Rodgers; Benedict W. Wheeler

doi:10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7

Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales

Joanne K. Garrett (Corresponding author)
, Francis M. Rowney
, Mathew P. White
, Rebecca Lovell
, Rich J. Fry
, Ashley Akbari
, Rebecca Geary
, Ronan A. Lyons
, Amy Mizen
, Mark Nieuwenhuijsen
, Chrissie Parker
, Jiao Song
, Gareth Stratton
, Daniel A. Thompson
, Alan Watkins
, James White
, Susan A. Williams
, Sarah E. Rodgers
, Benedict W. Wheeler

Vienna Cognitive Science Hub

Publications: Contribution to journal › Article › Peer Reviewed

Abstract

Natural environments can promote well-being through multiple mechanisms. Many studies have investigated relationships between residential green/blue space (GBS) and well-being, fewer explore relationships with actual use of GBS. We used a nationally representative survey, the National Survey for Wales, anonymously linked with spatial GBS data to investigate associations of well-being with both residential GBS and time in nature (N = 7631). Both residential GBS and time spent in nature were associated with subjective well-being. Higher green-ness was associated with lower well-being, counter to hypotheses (predicting the Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS): Enhanced vegetation index β = − 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 3.63, − 0.05) but time spent in nature was associated with higher well-being (four hours a week in nature vs. none β = 3.57, 95% CI 3.02, 4.13). There was no clear association between nearest GBS proximity and well-being. In support of the equigenesis theory, time spent in nature was associated with smaller socioeconomic inequalities in well-being. The difference in WEMWBS (possible range 14–70) between those who did and did not live in material deprivation was 7.7 points for those spending no time in nature, and less at 4.5 points for those spending time in nature up to 1 h per week. Facilitating access and making it easier for people to spend time in nature may be one way to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in well-being.

Original language	English
Article number	9684
Number of pages	13
Journal	Scientific Reports
Volume	13
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7
Publication status	Published - 15 Jun 2023

Funding

The GBS and Mental Health in Wales cohort was developed as part of independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), project number 16/07/07, and the UK Prevention Research Partnership, GroundsWell (MR/V049704/1). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. This study was approved by the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Information Governance Review Panel (project 0562) in Wales. All data were anonymised prior to access and analysis. This study makes use of anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We would like to acknowledge all the data providers who make anonymised data available for research. The GBS and Mental Health in Wales cohort was developed as part of independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), project number 16/07/07, and the UK Prevention Research Partnership, GroundsWell (MR/V049704/1). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. This study was approved by the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Information Governance Review Panel (project 0562) in Wales. All data were anonymised prior to access and analysis. This study makes use of anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We would like to acknowledge all the data providers who make anonymised data available for research.

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

501030 Cognitive science

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https://phaidra.univie.ac.at/o:2069708Licence: CC BY 4.0

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Garrett, J. K., Rowney, F. M., White, M. P., Lovell, R., Fry, R. J., Akbari, A., Geary, R., Lyons, R. A., Mizen, A., Nieuwenhuijsen, M., Parker, C., Song, J., Stratton, G., Thompson, D. A., Watkins, A., White, J., Williams, S. A., Rodgers, S. E., & Wheeler, B. W. (2023). Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales. Scientific Reports, 13, Article 9684. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7

@article{5b30ba4824844183bf3db99c3f897104,

title = "Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales",

abstract = "Natural environments can promote well-being through multiple mechanisms. Many studies have investigated relationships between residential green/blue space (GBS) and well-being, fewer explore relationships with actual use of GBS. We used a nationally representative survey, the National Survey for Wales, anonymously linked with spatial GBS data to investigate associations of well-being with both residential GBS and time in nature (N = 7631). Both residential GBS and time spent in nature were associated with subjective well-being. Higher green-ness was associated with lower well-being, counter to hypotheses (predicting the Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS): Enhanced vegetation index β = − 1.84, 95\% confidence interval (CI) − 3.63, − 0.05) but time spent in nature was associated with higher well-being (four hours a week in nature vs. none β = 3.57, 95\% CI 3.02, 4.13). There was no clear association between nearest GBS proximity and well-being. In support of the equigenesis theory, time spent in nature was associated with smaller socioeconomic inequalities in well-being. The difference in WEMWBS (possible range 14–70) between those who did and did not live in material deprivation was 7.7 points for those spending no time in nature, and less at 4.5 points for those spending time in nature up to 1 h per week. Facilitating access and making it easier for people to spend time in nature may be one way to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in well-being.",

author = "Garrett, \{Joanne K.\} and Rowney, \{Francis M.\} and White, \{Mathew P.\} and Rebecca Lovell and Fry, \{Rich J.\} and Ashley Akbari and Rebecca Geary and Lyons, \{Ronan A.\} and Amy Mizen and Mark Nieuwenhuijsen and Chrissie Parker and Jiao Song and Gareth Stratton and Thompson, \{Daniel A.\} and Alan Watkins and James White and Williams, \{Susan A.\} and Rodgers, \{Sarah E.\} and Wheeler, \{Benedict W.\}",

note = "Funding Information: The GBS and Mental Health in Wales cohort was developed as part of independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), project number 16/07/07, and the UK Prevention Research Partnership, GroundsWell (MR/V049704/1). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. This study was approved by the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Information Governance Review Panel (project 0562) in Wales. All data were anonymised prior to access and analysis. This study makes use of anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We would like to acknowledge all the data providers who make anonymised data available for research. Funding Information: The GBS and Mental Health in Wales cohort was developed as part of independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), project number 16/07/07, and the UK Prevention Research Partnership, GroundsWell (MR/V049704/1). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. This study was approved by the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Information Governance Review Panel (project 0562) in Wales. All data were anonymised prior to access and analysis. This study makes use of anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We would like to acknowledge all the data providers who make anonymised data available for research. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2023, The Author(s).",

year = "2023",

month = jun,

day = "15",

doi = "10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7",

language = "English",

volume = "13",

journal = "Scientific Reports",

issn = "2045-2322",

publisher = "NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP",

}

Garrett, JK, Rowney, FM, White, MP, Lovell, R, Fry, RJ, Akbari, A, Geary, R, Lyons, RA, Mizen, A, Nieuwenhuijsen, M, Parker, C, Song, J, Stratton, G, Thompson, DA, Watkins, A, White, J, Williams, SA, Rodgers, SE & Wheeler, BW 2023, 'Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales', Scientific Reports, vol. 13, 9684. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7

TY - JOUR

T1 - Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales

AU - Garrett, Joanne K.

AU - Rowney, Francis M.

AU - White, Mathew P.

AU - Lovell, Rebecca

AU - Fry, Rich J.

AU - Akbari, Ashley

AU - Geary, Rebecca

AU - Lyons, Ronan A.

AU - Mizen, Amy

AU - Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark

AU - Parker, Chrissie

AU - Song, Jiao

AU - Stratton, Gareth

AU - Thompson, Daniel A.

AU - Watkins, Alan

AU - White, James

AU - Williams, Susan A.

AU - Rodgers, Sarah E.

AU - Wheeler, Benedict W.

N1 - Funding Information: The GBS and Mental Health in Wales cohort was developed as part of independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), project number 16/07/07, and the UK Prevention Research Partnership, GroundsWell (MR/V049704/1). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. This study was approved by the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Information Governance Review Panel (project 0562) in Wales. All data were anonymised prior to access and analysis. This study makes use of anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We would like to acknowledge all the data providers who make anonymised data available for research. Funding Information: The GBS and Mental Health in Wales cohort was developed as part of independent research funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), project number 16/07/07, and the UK Prevention Research Partnership, GroundsWell (MR/V049704/1). The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. Sarah Rodgers is part-funded by the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration North West Coast. This study was approved by the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Information Governance Review Panel (project 0562) in Wales. All data were anonymised prior to access and analysis. This study makes use of anonymised data held in the Secure Anonymised Information Linkage (SAIL) Databank. We would like to acknowledge all the data providers who make anonymised data available for research. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, The Author(s).

PY - 2023/6/15

Y1 - 2023/6/15

N2 - Natural environments can promote well-being through multiple mechanisms. Many studies have investigated relationships between residential green/blue space (GBS) and well-being, fewer explore relationships with actual use of GBS. We used a nationally representative survey, the National Survey for Wales, anonymously linked with spatial GBS data to investigate associations of well-being with both residential GBS and time in nature (N = 7631). Both residential GBS and time spent in nature were associated with subjective well-being. Higher green-ness was associated with lower well-being, counter to hypotheses (predicting the Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS): Enhanced vegetation index β = − 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 3.63, − 0.05) but time spent in nature was associated with higher well-being (four hours a week in nature vs. none β = 3.57, 95% CI 3.02, 4.13). There was no clear association between nearest GBS proximity and well-being. In support of the equigenesis theory, time spent in nature was associated with smaller socioeconomic inequalities in well-being. The difference in WEMWBS (possible range 14–70) between those who did and did not live in material deprivation was 7.7 points for those spending no time in nature, and less at 4.5 points for those spending time in nature up to 1 h per week. Facilitating access and making it easier for people to spend time in nature may be one way to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in well-being.

AB - Natural environments can promote well-being through multiple mechanisms. Many studies have investigated relationships between residential green/blue space (GBS) and well-being, fewer explore relationships with actual use of GBS. We used a nationally representative survey, the National Survey for Wales, anonymously linked with spatial GBS data to investigate associations of well-being with both residential GBS and time in nature (N = 7631). Both residential GBS and time spent in nature were associated with subjective well-being. Higher green-ness was associated with lower well-being, counter to hypotheses (predicting the Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS): Enhanced vegetation index β = − 1.84, 95% confidence interval (CI) − 3.63, − 0.05) but time spent in nature was associated with higher well-being (four hours a week in nature vs. none β = 3.57, 95% CI 3.02, 4.13). There was no clear association between nearest GBS proximity and well-being. In support of the equigenesis theory, time spent in nature was associated with smaller socioeconomic inequalities in well-being. The difference in WEMWBS (possible range 14–70) between those who did and did not live in material deprivation was 7.7 points for those spending no time in nature, and less at 4.5 points for those spending time in nature up to 1 h per week. Facilitating access and making it easier for people to spend time in nature may be one way to reduce socioeconomic inequalities in well-being.

UR - https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/85161998457

U2 - 10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7

DO - 10.1038/s41598-023-35427-7

M3 - Article

AN - SCOPUS:85161998457

SN - 2045-2322

VL - 13

JO - Scientific Reports

JF - Scientific Reports

M1 - 9684

ER -

Visiting nature is associated with lower socioeconomic inequalities in well-being in Wales

Abstract

Funding

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

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