THE IMPACT OF GREEN SPACE EXPOSURE ON PSYCHOLOGICAL WELL-BEING: AN URBAN ECOLOGICAL STUDY

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Rapid urbanization has raised increasing concern about the psychological impact of living in densely populated environments with limited natural exposure. This study aimed to examine the relationship between access to urban green spaces—such as parks and gardens—and residents’ psychological well-being, providing evidence to inform urban planning and public health policy. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 200 adult participants from a large metropolitan area. Participants completed the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS) and reported their average weekly time spent in green spaces. Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping was used to measure each participant’s residential distance to the nearest major park. Results: A significant positive correlation was found between time spent in green spaces and mental wellbeing (r = 0.45, p < 0.001). ANOVA results indicated that individuals living within 500 meters of a major park reported higher well-being scores (M = 52.1, SD = 6.3) than those residing 500–1000 meters (M = 48.7, SD = 5.9) or more than 1000 meters away (M = 45.2, SD = 7.1), F(2,197) = 15.89, p < 0.001. Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that proximity to and engagement with urban green spaces significantly enhance psychological well-being. These results underscore the importance of integrating accessible natural environments into urban design to promote mental health and improve overall quality of life.