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Walking for well-being: are group walks in certain types of natural environments better for well-being than group walks in urban environments?

Marselle, MR; Irvine, KN; Warber, SL

Walking for well-being: are group walks in certain types of natural environments better for well-being than group walks in urban environments? Thumbnail


Authors

MR Marselle

KN Irvine

SL Warber



Abstract

The benefits of walking in natural environments for well-being are increasingly understood. However, less well known are the impacts different types of natural environments have on psychological and emotional well-being. This cross-sectional study investigated whether group walks in specific types of natural environments were associated with greater psychological and emotional well-being compared to group walks in urban environments. Individuals who frequently attended a walking group once a week or more
(n = 708) were surveyed on mental well-being (Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale), depression (Major Depressive Inventory), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale) and emotional well-being (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule). Compared to group walks in urban environments, group walks in farmland were significantly associated with less perceived stress and negative affect, and greater mental well-being. Group walks in green corridors were significantly associated with less perceived stress and negative affect. There were no significant differences between the effect of any environment types on depression or positive affect. Outdoor walking group programs could be endorsed through “green prescriptions” to improve psychological and emotional well-being, as well as physical activity.

Citation

Marselle, M., Irvine, K., & Warber, S. (2013). Walking for well-being: are group walks in certain types of natural environments better for well-being than group walks in urban environments?. Journalism, 10, 5603-5628. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10115603

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Oct 29, 2013
Deposit Date Apr 8, 2015
Publicly Available Date Apr 5, 2016
Journal International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Print ISSN 1464-8849
Electronic ISSN 1741-3001
Publisher SAGE Publications
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 10
Pages 5603-5628
DOI https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10115603
Keywords natural environment; green space; well-being; Walking for Health; walking
group; walking; green exercise; England; UK
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph10115603
Additional Information Funders : De Montfort University
Projects : Growing Resilience Through Interaction with Nature

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