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Green Spaces as Healthy Places: Correlates of Urban Green Space Use in Singapore

Author

Listed:
  • Denise Dillon

    (School of Social and Health Sciences, James Cook University, Singapore 387380, Singapore)

  • Sean T. H. Lee

    (School of Social and Health Sciences, James Cook University, Singapore 387380, Singapore)

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, when stress levels were heightened and social connections were threatened, a spike in green space visits was observed. Drawing upon the value–belief–norm (VBN) theory, which explains the influence of personal values and world view on perceived obligations to the environment and to action, relevant correlates were examined in relation to people’s psychological wellbeing in a bid to better elucidate this phenomenon. We aimed to explore the associations amongst a number of protective factors for psychological wellbeing and to examine the applicability of the VBN theory to wellbeing rather than environmental behaviour. Our research aim was to understand some of the correlates of the use of urban green spaces in Singapore during COVID-19. In total, 268 adult residents of Singapore completed an online survey measuring proximity/frequency of visits to green space, value orientations, nature connectedness, social connectedness, religious belief, spirituality and psychological wellbeing, along with sociodemographic variables such as age and gender. As predicted by the VBN theory, biospheric value orientation and spirituality were positively associated with nature connectedness. The nature connectedness association with psychological wellbeing was completely mediated by spirituality. Frequency of visits to nature was also positively associated with nature connectedness. Neither proximity to nature nor social connectedness were associated with nature connectedness. An altruistic value orientation was associated only with religious belief. Our results indicate that during uncertain times, people are drawing on either social or nature connections as coping mechanisms to fulfil psychological needs and enhance psychological wellbeing. Spirituality mediates this pathway for nature connectedness but not for social connectedness.

Suggested Citation

  • Denise Dillon & Sean T. H. Lee, 2023. "Green Spaces as Healthy Places: Correlates of Urban Green Space Use in Singapore," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-14, September.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:17:p:6711-:d:1232875
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cuiyan Wang & Riyu Pan & Xiaoyang Wan & Yilin Tan & Linkang Xu & Cyrus S. Ho & Roger C. Ho, 2020. "Immediate Psychological Responses and Associated Factors during the Initial Stage of the 2019 Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Epidemic among the General Population in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-25, March.
    2. Pei Yi Lim & Denise Dillon & Peter K. H. Chew, 2020. "A Guide to Nature Immersion: Psychological and Physiological Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(16), pages 1-26, August.
    3. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Rocío Rodríguez-Rey & Helena Garrido-Hernansaiz & Nereida Bueno-Guerra, 2020. "Working in the Times of COVID-19. Psychological Impact of the Pandemic in Frontline Workers in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-23, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Argyro Anna Kanelli & Maria Lydia Vardaka & Chrisovaladis Malesios & Zainab Jamidu Katima & Olga-Ioanna Kalantzi, 2024. "Can Campus Green Spaces Be Restorative? A Case Study from Tanzania," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(3), pages 1-21, January.

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