10,076
Views
50
CrossRef citations to date
0
Altmetric
Articles

Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation: a systematic review

, , , , & ORCID Icon
Pages 379-393 | Received 01 Dec 2018, Accepted 08 Aug 2019, Published online: 21 Aug 2019

References

  • Atchley, R. A., D. L. Strayer, and P. Atchley. 2012. “Creativity in the Wild: Improving Creative Reasoning Through Immersion in Natural Settings.” PLoS ONE 7 (12): e51474. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0051474.
  • Barton, J., and J. Pretty. 2010. “What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-study Analysis.” Environmental Science & Technology 44 (1): 3947–3955. doi:10.1021/es903183.
  • Baur, J. W. R. 2011. “Urban Natural Parks in Portland: Nature, Networks, and Community Health.” Doctoral dissertation, Oregon State University. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database (3514846).
  • Bielinis, E., N. Takayama, S. Boiko, A. Omelan, and L. Bielinis. 2018. “The Effect of Winter Forest Bathing on Psychological Relaxation of Young Polish Adults.” Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 29: 276–283. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2017.12.006.
  • Bittner, A. J. 2013. “Day Hikers’ Pre-hike Self-reported Reasons for, and Post-hike Effects of Hiking in the Arizona Wilderness.” Master’s thesis, Prescott College. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database (1549985).
  • Bowler, D. E., L. M. Buyung-Ali, T. M. Knight, and A. S. Pullin. 2010. “A Systematic Review of Evidence for the Added Benefits to Health of Exposure to Natural Environments.” BMC Public Health 10: 456–466.
  • Boyes, M. 2013. “Outdoor Adventure and Successful Ageing.” Ageing and Society 33 (4): 644–665. doi:10.1017/S0144686X12000165.
  • Buchecker, M., and B. Degenhardt. 2015. “The Effects of Urban Inhabitants’ Nearby Outdoor Recreation on Their Well-being and Their Psychological Resilience.” Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 10: 55–62. doi:10.1016/j.jort.2015.06.007.
  • Butler-Collins, T. D. 2017. “The Efficacy of Offering Adaptive Sports and Outdoor Recreation to Female Veterans.” Doctoral dissertation. United States Sports Academy. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database (10669701).
  • Cashel, C. M., S. W. L. Lane, and D. Montgomery. 1996. “Emotional Response Patterns of Participants During a Wilderness Experience.” Wilderness and Environmental Medicine 7 (1): 9–18. doi:10.1580/1080-6032(1996)007[0009:ERPOPD]2.3.CO;2.
  • Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. 2016. “2015 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Methodological Summary and Definitions. Accessed 15 November 2018. http://www.samhsa.gov/data/.
  • Christensen, K. M., J. F. Wilson, and J. M. Holt. 2013. “The Relationship between Outdoor Recreation and Depression Among Older Adults.” World Leisure Journal 55 (1): 72–82. doi:10.1080/04419057.2012.759143.
  • Colley, K., C. Brown, and A. Montarzino. 2017. “Understanding Knowledge Workers’ Interactions with Workplace Greenspace: Open Space Use and Restoration Experiences at Urban-fringe Business Sites.” Environment and Behavior 49 (3): 314–338. doi:10.1177/0013916516629194.
  • Cronon, W. 1996. Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature. New York, NY: W. W. Norton & Company.
  • Curtin, S. 2009. “Wildlife Tourism: The Intangible, Psychological Benefits of Human-wildlife Encounters.” Current Issues in Tourism 12 (5–6): 451–474. doi:10.1080/13683500903042857.
  • Ewert, A. 1988. “Reduction of Trait Anxiety Through Participation in Outward Bound.” Leisure Sciences 10 (2): 107–117. doi:10.1080/01490408809512181.
  • Galderisi, S., A. Heinz, M. Kastrup, J. Beezhold, and N. Sartorius. 2015. “Toward a New Definition of Mental Health.” World Psychiatry 14 (2): 231–233.
  • Gathright, J., Y. Yamada, and M. Morita. 2006. “Comparison of the Physiological and Psychological Benefits of Tree and Tower Climbing.” Urban Forestry and Urban Greening 5 (3): 141–149. doi:10.1016/j.ufug.2005.12.003.
  • Glassman, S. B. 1995. “The Experience of Women Discovering Wilderness as Psychologically Healing.” Doctoral dissertation, The Union Institute. EBSCOhost psyh database (9524674).
  • Guan, H., H. Wei, X. He, Z. Ren, and B. An. 2017. “The Tree-Species-Specific Effect of Forest Bathing on Perceived Anxiety Alleviation of Young-adults in Urban Forests.” Annals of Forest Research 60 (2): 327–341.
  • Gustafsson, P. E., A. Szczepanski, N. Nelson, and P. A. Gustafsson. 2012. “Effects of an Outdoor Education Intervention on the Mental Health of Schoolchildren.” Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning 12 (1): 63–79. doi:10.1080/14729679.2010.532994.
  • Harris, K. W. 1996. “Beneficial Factors in the Wilderness Experience.” Master’s thesis, University of Alaska Anchorage. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database (1380977).
  • Hartig, T., F. G. Kaiser, and E. Strumse. 2007. “Psychological Restoration in Nature as a Source of Motivation for Ecological Behaviour.” Environmental Conservation 34 (4): 291–299. doi:10.1017/S0376892907004250.
  • Hennigan, K. 2010. “Therapeutic Potential of Time in Nature: Implications for Body Image in Women.” Ecopsychology 2 (3): 135–140. doi:10.1089/eco.2010.0017.
  • Henrich, J., S. J. Heine, and A. Norenzayan. 2010. “Beyond WEIRD: Towards a Broad-based Behavioral Science.” Behavioral and Brain Sciences 33 (2-3): 111–135.
  • Hinds, J. 2011. “Exploring the Psychological Rewards of a Wilderness Experience: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis.” The Humanistic Psychologist 39 (3): 189–205. doi:10.1080/08873267.2011.567132.
  • Hodge, C. J., M. D. Duerden, E. K. Layland, A. Lacanienta, M. C. Goates, and X. M. Niu. 2017. “The Association between Family Leisure and Family Quality of Life: A Meta-Analysis of Data from Parents and Adolescents. ” Journal of Family Theory & Review 9 (3): 328–346.
  • Hyer, L., S. Boyd, R. Scurfield, D. Smith, and J. Burke. 1996. “Effects of Outward Bound Experience as an Adjunct to Inpatient PTSD Treatment of War Veterans.” Journal of Clinical Psychology 52 (3): 263–278. doi:10.1002/(SICI)1097-4679(199605)52:3<263::AID-JCLP3>3.0.CO;2-T.
  • Irani, J. K. 1996. “Beneficial Outcomes of Recreation at the Eastern Huachuca Mountains, Coronado National Forest.” Master’s thesis, The University of Arizona. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database (1378993).
  • Jakubec, S. L., D. Carruthers Den Hoed, H. Ray, and A. Krishnamurthy. 2016. “Mental Well-being and Quality-of-life Benefits of Inclusion in Nature for Adults with Disabilities and Their Caregivers.” Landscape Research 41 (6): 616–627. doi:10.1080/01426397.2016.1197190.
  • Jenkins, J., and J. Pigram. 2003. Encyclopedia of Leisure and Outdoor Recreation. New York, NY: Routledge.
  • Kaplan, R. 1984. “Wilderness Perception and Psychological Benefits: An Analysis of a Continuing Program.” Leisure Sciences 6 (3): 271–290. doi:10.1080/01490408409513036.
  • Kaplan, S. 1995. “The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 15: 169–182. doi:10.1016/0272-4944(95)90001-2.
  • Kelley, M. P., R. D. Coursey, and P. M. Selby. 1997. “Therapeutic Adventures Outdoors: A Demonstration of Benefits for People with Mental Illness.” Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal 20 (4): 61–73.
  • Keniger, L. E., K. J. Gaston, K. N. Irvine, and R. A. Fuller. 2013. “What are the Benefits of Interacting with Nature?” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 10: 913–935.
  • Kerr, J., S. Marshall, S. Godbole, S. Neukam, K. Crist, K. Wasilenko, S. Golshan, and D. Buchner. 2012. “The Relationship Between Outdoor Activity and Health in Older Adults Using GPS.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 9 (12): 4615–4625. doi:10.3390/ijerph9124615.
  • Korpela, K., K. Borodulin, M. Neuvonen, O. Paronen, and L. Tyrväinen. 2014. “Analyzing the Mediators between Nature-based Outdoor Recreation and Emotional Well-being.” Journal of Environmental Psychology 37: 1–7. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2013.11.003.
  • Korpela, K., and U. Kinnunen. 2010. “How is Leisure Time Interacting with Nature Related to the Need for Recovery from Work Demands? Testing Multiple Mediators.” Leisure Sciences 33 (1): 1–14. doi:10.1080/01490400.2011.533103.
  • Krenichyn, K. 2006. “‘The Only Place to Go and Be in the City’: Women Talk About Exercise, Being Outdoors, and the Meanings of a Large Urban Park.” Health and Place 12 (4): 631–643. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2005.08.015.
  • Lee, J., B. J. Park, Y. Tsunetsugu, T. Ohira, T. Kagawa, and Y. Miyazaki. 2011. “Effect of Forest Bathing on Physiological and Psychological Responses in Young Japanese Male Subjects.” Public Health 125 (2): 93–100. doi:10.1016/j.puhe.2010.09.005.
  • Li, Q., M. Kobayashi, Y. Wakayama, H. Inagaki, M. Katsumata, Y. Hirata, Y., and T. Kawada. 2012. “Effect of Forest Environments on Psychological Response Evaluated by the POMS Test.” In Forest Medicine, edited by Q. Li, 137–146. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
  • Li, Q., K. Morimoto, A. Nakadai, H. Inagaki, M. Katsumata, T. Shimizu, Y. Hirata, et al. 2007. “Forest Bathing Enhances Human Natural Killer Activity and Expression of Anti-Cancer Proteins.” International Journal of Immunopathology and Pharmacology 20 (2): 3–8. doi:10.1177/03946320070200s202.
  • Mang, M. 1985. “The Restorative Effects of Wilderness Backpacking.” Doctoral dissertation, University of California, Irvine. EBSCOhost psyh database (8427815).
  • Mao, G. X., X. G. Lan, Y. B. Cao, Z. M. Chen, Z. H. He, Y. D. Ly, and J. Yan. 2012. “Effects of Short-term Forest Bathing on Human Health in a Broad-leaved Evergreen Forest in Zhejiang Province, China.” Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 25 (3): 317–324..
  • Mårtensson, F., C. Boldemann, M. Söderström, M. Blennow, J. E. Englund, and P. Grahn. 2009. “Outdoor Environmental Assessment of Attention Promoting Settings for Preschool Children.” Health and Place 15 (4): 1149–1157. doi:10.1016/j.healthplace.2009.07.002.
  • Merkl, K. A. 1995. “Ecopsychology: Exploring Psychological Aspects of Our Relationship to Nature.” Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology. EBSCOhost psyh database (9536343).
  • Moher, D., L. Shamseer, M. Clarke, D. Ghersi, A. Liberati, M. Petticrew, P. Shekelle, L. Q. Stewart, and PRISMA-P Group. 2015. “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis Protocols (PRISMA-P) 2015 Statement.” Systematic Reviews 4 (1): 1–9.
  • Morrow, R., A. Rodriguez, and N. King. 2017. “Back to Basics: Can Unstructured Camping Promote Wellbeing?” Therapeutic Communities: The International Journal of Therapeutic Communities 38 (1): 49–56. doi:10.1108/TC-08-2016-0016.
  • Nathe, M. 2018. “Our Health Systems Aren’t Ready for the Rising Demand for Mental Health Services.” IntraHealth International. Accessed 22 February 2019. https://www.intrahealth.org/vital/our-health-systems-arenE280%99t-ready-rising-demand-mental-health-services.
  • National Alliance on Mental Illness. 2018. “Mental Health Conditions.” https://www.nami.org/learn-more/mental-health-conditions
  • National Conference of State Legislature. 2017. “Health Insurance: Premiums and Increases.” December 4. http://www.ncsl.org/research/health/health-insurance-premiums.aspx.
  • National Institute of Mental Health. 2018. “Mental Health Information.” January. https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/index.shtml.
  • Ohly, H., M. P. White, B. W. Wheeler, A. Bethel, O. C. Ukoumunne, V. Nikolaou, and R. Garside. 2016. “Attention Restoration Theory: A Systematic Review of the Attention Restoration Potential of Exposure to Natural Environments.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B 19 (7): 305–343. doi:10.1080/10937404.2016.1196155.
  • Ojobo, H., I. Said, S. Mohamad, A. Abdullah, and N. Ujang. 2015. “Perceived Restorative Benefits of Obudu Mountain Landscape, Nigeria.” Jurnal Teknologi 77 (15): 103–108..
  • Park, B. J., K. Furuya, T. Kasetani, N. Takayama, T. Kagawa, and Y. Miyazaki. 2011. “Relationship between Psychological Responses and Physical Environments in Forest Settings.” Landscape and Urban Planning 102 (1): 24–32. doi:10.1016/j.landurbplan.2011.03.005.
  • Pasanen, T. P., L. Tyrväinen, and K. M. Korpela. 2014. “The Relationship between Perceived Health and Physical Activity Indoors, Outdoors in Built Environments, and Outdoors in Nature.” Applied Psychology: Health and Well-Being 6 (3): 324–346. doi:10.1111/aphw.12031.
  • Ritchie, S. D., M. J. Wabano, R. G. Corbiere, B. M. Restoule, K. C. Russell, and N. L. Young. 2015. “Connecting to the Good Life Through Outdoor Adventure Leadership Experiences Designed for Indigenous Youth.” Journal of Adventure Education and Outdoor Learning 15 (4): 350–370. doi:10.1080/14729679.2015.1036455.
  • Rodriguez, A. M. 2017. “Back to Basics: Can Unstructured Camping Promote Wellbeing?” Therapeutic Communities 38 (1). doi:10.1108/TC-08-2016-0016.
  • Salvage, J. 2007. “Ray of Hope: A Landmark Report on Global Mental Health Puts Nurses at the Forefront of Change.” Nursing Standard 22 (10): 18–19.
  • Smith, J. 2016. “Warrior Health: A Study of Female Veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Who Engage in Outdoor Adventure Recreation. Master’s thesis, Liberty University. ProQuest Dissertations and Theses Global database (10195505).
  • Stern, M. J., R. B. Powell, and D. Hill. 2014. “Environmental Education Program Evaluation in the New Millennium: What Do We Measure and What Have We Learned?” Environmental Education Research 20 (5): 581–611.
  • Stevenson, M. P., T. Schilhab, and P. Bentsen. 2018. “Attention Restoration Theory II: A Systematic Review to Clarify Attention Processes Affected by Exposure to Natural Environments.” Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B 21 (4): 227–268. doi:10.1080/10937404.2018.1505571.
  • Tarrant, M. A. 1993. “The Mental and Physical Health Benefits of Recollections of Past Outdoor Recreation Experiences.” Doctoral dissertation, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
  • Thomsen, J. M., R. B. Powell, and C. Monz. 2018. “A Systematic Review of the Physical and Mental Health Benefits of Wildland Recreation.” Journal of Park and Recreation Administration 36 (1): 123–148.
  • van den Bosch, M., and W. Bird. 2018. Oxford Txtbook of Nature and Public Health: The Role of Nature in Improving the Health of a Population. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.
  • Vella, E. J., B. Milligan, and J. L. Bennett. 2013. “Participation in Outdoor Recreation Program Predicts Improved Psychosocial Well-being Among Veterans with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study.” Military Medicine 178 (3): 254–260. doi:10.7205/MILMED-D-12-00308.
  • Von Lindern, E. 2015. “Setting-dependent Constraints on Human Restoration While Visiting a Wilderness Park.” Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism 10: 29–37. doi:10.1016/j.jort.2015.06.001.
  • Warber, S. L., A. A. Dehudy, M. F. Bialko, M. R. Marselle, and K. N. Irvine. 2015. “Addressing ‘Nature-deficit Disorder’: A Mixed Methods Pilot Study of Young Adults Attending a Wilderness Camp.” Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2015: 1–13. dio:10.1155/2015/651827.
  • Weng, P. Y., and Y. C. Chiang. 2014. “Psychological Restoration Through Indoor and Outdoor Leisure Activities.” Journal of Leisure Research 46 (2): 203–217.
  • WHO (World Health Organization). 2004. “Promoting Mental Health: Concepts, Emerging Evidence, Practice: Summary Report.” Accessed 22 February 2019. https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/42940/9241591595.pdf.
  • Wilson, J. F., and K. M. Christensen. 2012. “The Relationship between Outdoor Recreation and Depression Among Individuals with Disabilities.” Journal of Leisure Research 44 (4): 486–506.
  • Wishner, J., and R. Burton. 2017. “How have Providers Responded to the Increased Demand for Health Care Under The Affordable Care Act?” U. S. Health Reform Monitoring Impact. Accessed 28 November 2018. https://www.urban.org/sites/default/files/publication/94396/2001576-how-have-providers-responded-to-the-increased-demand-for-health-care-under-the-affordble-care-act_0.pdf.
  • Wolf, I. D., H. K. Stricker, and G. Hagenloh. 2015. “Outcome-focused National Park Experience Management: Transforming Participants, Promoting Social Well-being, and Fostering Place Attachment.” Journal of Sustainable Tourism 23 (3): 358–381. doi:10.1080/09669582.2014.959968.
  • Wolsko, C., and K. Lindberg. 2013. “Experiencing Connection with Nature: The Matrix of Psychological Well-being, Mindfulness, and Outdoor Recreation.” Ecopsychology 5 (2): 80–91. doi:10.1089/eco.2013.0008.
  • Yu, C. P., C. M. Lin, M. J. Tsai, Y. C. Tsai, and C. Y. Chen. 2017. “Effects of Short Forest Bathing Program on Autonomic Nervous System Activity and Mood States in Middle-aged and Elderly Individuals.” International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 14 (8): 1–12.
  • Zebrack, B., M. Kwak, and L. Sundstrom. 2017. “First Descents, an Adventure Program for Young Adults with Cancer: Who Benefits?” Supportive Care in Cancer 25 (12): 3665–3673.

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.