RESEARCH

Nature-Based Social Prescribing in Urban Settings to Improve Social Connectedness and Mental Well-being: A Review

The review suggests that nature-based social prescriptions hold promise for increasing social connectedness and improving mental and physical well-being by tapping into various personal, social, and environmental factors. For example, the Stay Healthy In Nature Everyday (SHINE) study, discussed in the review, found that participants’ feelings of loneliness decreased by an average of 1.03 points on a 9-point scale after three months of a park prescription program.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Military/Veterans, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Addiction/Substance Use Disorders

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Community Gardens, Public/Botanical Gardens, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest, Healthcare Centre

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Social Work, Counselling, Forest/Ecotherapy

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities, Forest/Natural Area Immersion

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Randomized Controlled Trials, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Standardized Assessment Tools

Access: Free

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Summary

This research paper looks at how connecting people with nature through “social prescribing” could help with feelings of loneliness and being disconnected, which are big problems for people’s health. Social prescribing is when doctors or other health professionals suggest non-medical activities, like joining a walking group or a community garden, to improve well-being. This paper specifically examines using nature-based activities as part of social prescribing, like spending time in parks or going for walks outdoors. The authors did a literature review, meaning they looked at many existing research studies to understand if suggesting nature-based activities can help people feel more connected to others and improve their mental and physical health.

The paper discusses how different kinds of nature-based social prescriptions, such as guided outdoor activities or even just recommending visits to parks, could work. It suggests that being in nature and connecting with others through these activities can have positive effects on how people feel about themselves, their relationships with others, and their surroundings. The authors are particularly interested in how these approaches can help people who are more likely to experience loneliness, like young mothers, new immigrants, older adults, and those facing financial or language barriers. The study design here is a review of existing research, aiming to build a framework for understanding how nature-based social prescriptions could be a useful tool.

Link

Leavell, M.A., Leiferman, J.A., Gascon, M. et al. (2019). Nature-based social prescribing in urban settings to improve social connectedness and mental well-being: A review. Curr Environ Health Rep., 6(4), 297-308

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