Evaluating the Psychological Benefits of Urban Green Spaces: A Longitudinal Experimental Study

Abstract

Objective: This longitudinal study aimed to evaluate the psychological benefits of regular exposure to urban green spaces over a two-year period.

Methods: A total of 500 urban residents were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group, which received encouragement and free access to local green spaces, or a control group with no specific intervention. Psychological well-being was assessed biannually using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) and the Psychological Well-being Index (PWBI), supplemented by annual qualitative interviews.

Results: The intervention group exhibited a significant reduction in PSS scores, with an average decrease of 20% compared to a 5% reduction in the control group. PWBI scores in the intervention group increased by 30%, indicating improved well-being, while the control group showed a modest increase of 4%.

Limitations: The study's outcomes may have been influenced by the variability of the green spaces and the subjective nature of self-reported data. Additionally, the environmental differences across the urban settings posed challenges to the generalizability of the findings.

Conclusions: The evidence suggests that urban green spaces significantly contribute to improved psychological well-being. These results advocate for the integration of green spaces into urban planning as a public health strategy.