RESEARCH

A Methodological Approach to Understanding the Wellbeing and Restorative Benefits Associated with Greenspace

This paper reviews research on the restorative effects of greenspace, noting a “modal vacuum” where studies focus primarily on the visual sense. It argues for a more comprehensive approach, including sound and eye tracking, to understand how greenspace promotes wellbeing and restores attention by creating complex sensory experiences.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: General Population

Setting or Context: Urban vs. Rural Settings, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Sensory Stimulation

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Forest/Natural Area Immersion, AI/Digital Tools in Therapeutic Horticulture

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Paid

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Summary

This paper reviews methodologies used to study the wellbeing and restorative effects of greenspace, arguing that much research focuses solely on the visual sense, creating a “modal vacuum.” The paper highlights research findings from various disciplines that contribute to understanding greenspace benefits and outlines an approach using eye tracking in conjunction with visual and auditory stimuli. The goal of this approach is to uncover the mechanisms behind the restorative qualities of certain environments.

The reviewed studies involved various participants and methods, including assessing aesthetic and behavioral preferences using photographs, measuring perceived restorativeness with scales like the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS), and inducing fatigue through cognitive tasks. Results from these studies suggest that natural environments promote emotional wellbeing, restore directed attention, and reduce stress compared to urban settings. The paper proposes future research should incorporate sound and eye tracking to better understand the complex sensory experience of greenspace.

Link

Conniff, A., & Craig, T. (2016). A methodological approach to understanding the wellbeing and restorative benefits associated with greenspace. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 19, 103–09.

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