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Quality of Life and Mental Health Benefits of Public Participation in Forest Conservation Activities in Urban Areas

Author

Listed:
  • Dawou Joung

    (Institute of Agricultural Science, Chungnam National University, Deajeon 34134, Korea)

  • Bum-Jin Park

    (Department of Environment and Forest Resources, Chungnam National University, Deajeon 34134, Korea)

  • Shinkwang Kang

    (Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Chungnam National University Hospital, School of Medicine, Chungnam National University, Deajeon 35015, Korea)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of forest conservation activities on the physical and psychological wellbeing of participants. The experiment was conducted in a forest near an urban area and involved 61 participants (average age: 22.5 ± 1.8). The participants selected one of three activities (pruning, stacking cut branches, and removing vines) in the forest conservation program. The effects of these activities on the musculoskeletal system were assessed using the Ovako Working Posture Assessment System (OWAS); the physical intensity of the activities was evaluated using heart rate data. The psychological evaluation measurement indexes used the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life assessment instrument, and the Perceived Restorativeness Scale. As a result of the OWAS assessment, forest conservation activities were found to be action categories 1 and 2, which were less burdensome to the musculoskeletal system. All forestry activities were found to be light levels of physical intensity. Psychological evaluation of the participants revealed that positive emotions such as self-esteem, quality of life, and perceived restorativeness increased significantly, whereas negative emotions decreased significantly. This forest conservation program, that involved low-intensity activities which were less burdensome to the musculoskeletal system, had positive physical and psychological effects on the local residents who participated.

Suggested Citation

  • Dawou Joung & Bum-Jin Park & Shinkwang Kang, 2022. "Quality of Life and Mental Health Benefits of Public Participation in Forest Conservation Activities in Urban Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-14, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:15:p:9768-:d:883294
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Dawou Joung & Bohwi Lee & Jeongdo Lee & Changjun Lee & Seungmo Koo & Changwon Park & Sebin Kim & Takahide Kagawa & Bum-Jin Park, 2020. "Measures to Promote Rural Healthcare Tourism with a Scientific Evidence-Based Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-13, May.
    2. Ben Ma & Tiantian Zhou & Shuo Lei & Yali Wen & Theint Theint Htun, 2019. "Effects of urban green spaces on residents’ well-being," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 21(6), pages 2793-2809, December.
    3. Dawou Joung & Geonwoo Kim & Yoonho Choi & HyoJin Lim & Soonjoo Park & Jong-Min Woo & Bum-Jin Park, 2015. "The Prefrontal Cortex Activity and Psychological Effects of Viewing Forest Landscapes in Autumn Season," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(7), pages 1-9, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Tobias Ihle & Ellen Jahr & Dörte Martens & Holger Muehlan & Silke Schmidt, 2024. "Health Effects of Participation in Creating Urban Green Spaces—A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-26, June.

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