Nature-related habits and their development and relation to mental health outcomes during the covid-19 pandemic : a population-based study in Sweden

• Background: Mental health disorders represent a major public health concern, and significantly contribute to the global burden of disease. The Covid-19 pandemic posed additional challenges for mental health. Spending time in natural environments has been linked to numerous health benefits.Purpose: Therefore, the present study investigated the role of different types of nature-related habits for symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness, and their development during the pandemic 2019–2022, in Sweden. Further, we investigated whether nature habits could buffer negative effects of major life events on mental health outcomes (MHO).Method: Different types of nature-related habits, symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, major life events, and control variables were assessed via self-report measures, in a sub-sample of respondents to the Swedish Occupational Survey of Health, in 2021 (n = 1 896), and 2022 (n = 1 579). Sequential linear regressions were conducted to analyze relationships between nature-related habits and MHO, while controlling for demographics, SES, relationship status, and pre-pandemic MHO.Results: Spending time in nature was consistently associated with fewer symptoms of depression, anxiety, and loneliness during the pandemic after adjusting for control variables. Especially spending time in forest and garden environments were associated with better mental health. Spending time in garden environments buffered effects of major life events on symptoms of depression and anxiety, but not loneliness. Increased nature habits during the pandemic related to improved MHO.Conclusions: Spending time in natural environments during the Covid-19 pandemic led to better MHO, with implications for urban development and public health promotion.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Psykologi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Psychology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

nature-related habits

mental health

covid-19 pandemic

Sweden

psykologi

Psychology

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

kon (subject category)