Relationship between exposure to different types of urban green spaces and states of depression, anxiety and stress: an integrative analysis

Abstract

Urban green spaces provide health benefits by possibilitating physical activity, social interaction, and improving mental health. This integrative review investigates how exposure to different types of urban green areas affects psychological health, focusing on anxiety, depression, and stress. The research was conducted in PubMed on September 17, 2021, using 10 combinations of descriptors, resulting in 344 initial articles, of which 27 were selected after exclusions. The studies encompass research from all continents and were organized by objectives, methods, and results. The analysis reveals that exposure to green areas helps combat states of depression, anxiety, and stress, with benefits varying according to the type of area, assessment method, duration of exposure, amount of greenery, residents’ distance, and neighborhood characteristics. It is recommended that comparative studies be carried out between different green areas, deepening the characterization of exposures.