| 1. |
- de Jong, Kim, et al.
(författare)
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Area-aggregated assessments of perceived environmental attributes may overcome single-source bias in studies of green environments and health: results from a cross-sectional survey in southern Sweden
- 2011
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Ingår i: Environmental Health. - 1476-069X. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Most studies assessing health effects of neighborhood characteristics either use self-reports or objective assessments of the environment, the latter often based on Geographical Information Systems (GIS). While objective measures require detailed landscape data, self-assessments may yield confounded results. In this study we demonstrate how self-assessments of green neighborhood environments aggregated to narrow area units may serve as an appealing compromise between objective measures and individual self-assessments. Methods: The study uses cross-sectional data (N = 24,847) from a public health survey conducted in the county of Scania, southern Sweden, in 2008 and validates the Scania Green Score (SGS), a new index comprising five self-reported green neighborhood qualities (Culture, Lush, Serene, Spacious and Wild). The same qualities were also assessed objectively using landscape data and GIS. A multilevel (ecometric) model was used to aggregate individual self-reports to assessments of perceived green environmental attributes for areas of 1,000 square meters. We assessed convergent and concurrent validity for self-assessments of the five items separately and for the sum score, individually and area-aggregated. Results: Correlations between the index scores based on self-assessments and the corresponding objective assessments were clearly present, indicating convergent validity, but the agreement was low. The correlation was even more evident for the area-aggregated SGS. All three scores (individual SGS, area-aggregated SGS and GIS index score) were associated with neighborhood satisfaction, indicating concurrent validity. However, while individual SGS was associated with vitality, this association was not present for aggregated SGS and the GIS-index score, suggesting confounding (single-source bias) when individual SGS was used. Conclusions: Perceived and objectively assessed qualities of the green neighborhood environment correlate but do not agree. An index score based on self-reports but aggregated to narrow area units can be a valid approach to assess perceived green neighborhood qualities in settings where objective assessments are not possible or feasible.
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| 4. |
- Grahn, Patrik
(författare)
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The relation between perceived sensory dimensions of urban green space and stress restoration
- 2010
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Ingår i: Landscape and Urban Planning. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-2046 .- 1872-6062. ; 94, s. 264-275
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Research indicates a relationship between sensory perception of natural environments and human health. Our hypothesis is that people perceive green spaces in terms of certain dimensions, where some dimensions are more important and preferred than others with respect to restoring people from stress.The aims are to: identify and describe the perceived dimensions in nature; identify which dimensions people in general prefer: identify the dimensions people reporting stress prefer: and identify a combination of the dimensions people reporting stress prefer.A total of 953 randomly selected informants from nine Swedish cities (representative of the Swedish population) answered a postal questionnaire with pre-coded questions. The questionnaire consisted of three parts: personal data, preferences for natural qualities and self-estimations of health status. The data were analyzed using factor analysis and regression analyses.The results identify and describe eight perceived sensory dimensions. People in general prefer the dimension Serene, followed by Space, Nature, Rich in Species, Refuge, Culture, Prospect and Social. The dimensions Refuge and Nature are most strongly correlated with stress, indicating a need to find the most restorative environments. A combination of Refuge, Nature and Rich in Species, and a low or no presence of Social, could be interpreted as the most restorative environment for stressed individuals.From a city planning perspective, the results indicate how urban green spaces can be viewed as elements of importance to public mental health. However, before the dimensions can be used by practitioners as tools to promote health through city planning, more research is needed. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Palsdottir, Anna Maria, et al.
(författare)
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Preferred qualities in a therapy garden that promote stress restoration
- 2011
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Preferred qualities in a therapy garden that promote stress restoration Keywords: Inclusive design, stress-related illnesses, public green spaces, health promotion. Theme: Physical environment, health and wellbeing. According to the World Health Organization it is estimated that by the year 2020 the second largest health problem in the world will be stress-related illnesses (WHO 2011). Stress is not an illness but prolonged stress due to the lack of opportunities to rest and recover is harmful for the health (Aldwin, 2007; Atkinsson et al. 1996). Research suggests that natural, environment; parks and gardens have beneficial effects on people’s recovery from mental fatigue and reduce stress level (Björk et al., 2008; Grahn et al., 2010; Nielsen & Hansen, 2007; Ulrich, 2006). Studies have shown that people perceive outdoor environments in terms of quality dimensions, so called Perceived Sensory Dimensions (PSD) (Grahn et al., 2005; Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010). Further, it is suggested that there is a beneficial relationship between PSD and a person’s perceived level of stress (Grahn & Stigsdotter, 2010). The aim of the study was to identify which PSDs patients perceived as supportive and restorative in a therapeutic garden. Forty two patients, all diagnosed with stress related illnesses, were recruited after undergoing 12 weeks rehabilitation program in the therapy garden. Methodological triangulation was used including one-hour interview with each person, location mapping of supportive and restorative locations in the garden and a questionnaire on PSD qualities for same locations. From the questionnaire we identified four PSDs that are perceived as supportive and restorative: Refuge; Serene, Prospect and Comfort. From interviews, we identified what is a merge of the two PSDs Nature and Rich in species, referred to as Wild. This dimension was considered the most important for perceived stress restoration. Also, the results indicate that individuals suffering from stress-related illnesses are very sensitive to stimuli and frequently avoid public green places with many different stimuli and impressions. In order to meet the needs of a fast growing group of users we recommend the dimensions Refuge, Serene, Prospect, Comfort Nature, and Rich in species to be included in design of public green spaces since these dimensions offer possibilities for restoration. References: Aldwin, C. (2007). Stress, Coping, and Development, 2nd edn, New Ykrok: Guilford. Atkinson, R.L., R.C., Smith, E.E., Bem, D.J. and Noelen-Hoeksema, S. (1996). Hilgard´s Introduction to Pscychology, Fort Worth, Tex.: Harcourt Brace Collage. Björk, J., Albin, M., Grahn, P., Jacobsson, H., Ardö, J., Wadbro, J., Östergren P-O., Skärbäck E. (2008) Recreational values of the natural environment in relation to neighborhood satisfactions, physical activity, obesity and wellbeing. J. Epidemiol. Commun. H 6, e2. Grahn, P. & Stigsdotter U.K. (2010) The relation between perceived sensory dimensions of urban green space and stress restoration. Landscape and Urban planning 94, 264-275. Grahn, P., Stigsdotter, U.K., Berggren-Bärring, A.-M. (2005). Human isues. In: Werquin, A.C. Duhem, B. Lindholm, G., Opperman, B., Pauleit, S., Tjalling, S. (Eds.). Green Structure and Urban Planning, ESF. Office for Official Publications of the European Communities, Luxembourg. pp. 240-248. Grahn, P. Tenngart Ivarsson, C. Stigsdotter, U.K. and Bengtsson, I-L. (2010) Using affordances as a health-promoting tool in a therapeutic garden, in Ward-Thompson, C., Aspinall, P. & Bell, S. (eds.) Innovative Approaches to Researching landscape and Health. Open Space: People Space 2. Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, London & New York. Nielsen, T.S., Hansen, K.B., (2007) Do green areas affect health? Results from a Danish survey on the use of green areas and health indicators. Health Place 13, 839-850. Ulrich, R.S. (2006) Evidence-based health-care architecture. Lancet 368,S38-39. WHO (2011). Depression. Programs and Projects. Mental health. World Health Organization. http://www.who.int/mental_health/management/depression/definition/en/ [January 2011]
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