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Parks and green areas and the risk for depression and suicidal indicators

Author

Listed:
  • Kyoung-bok Min

    (Seoul National University)

  • Hyun-Jin Kim

    (Seoul National University)

  • Hye-Jin Kim

    (Seoul National University)

  • Jin-young Min

    (Seoul National University)

Abstract

Objectives There is increasing evidence that parks and green areas have beneficial effects on mental health; however, most studies have been limited to a certain or small geographic area. This study investigated whether parks and green areas were associated with the risk for depression or suicidal indicators among adults. Methods We used the 2009 Korean Community Health Survey data (n = 169,029). Residential geographical codes were used to determine the amount of parks and green areas in each administrative district. Results The median amount of parks and green areas was 19.73 m2 per capita. Compared with adults living the highest amount of parks and green areas (1st quartile), those living in regions with the lowest amount of parks and green areas (4th quartile) had 16–27% greater odds for depression and suicidal indicators, after adjusting for all potential variables. People without moderate physical activity had higher odds for self-reported depression and suicidal ideation than those with moderate physical activity. Conclusions We observed protective associations between parks and green areas and depression and suicidal indicators. In addition, moderate physical activity may help to lower the risk for depression and suicidal indicators.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyoung-bok Min & Hyun-Jin Kim & Hye-Jin Kim & Jin-young Min, 2017. "Parks and green areas and the risk for depression and suicidal indicators," International Journal of Public Health, Springer;Swiss School of Public Health (SSPH+), vol. 62(6), pages 647-656, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijphth:v:62:y:2017:i:6:d:10.1007_s00038-017-0958-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s00038-017-0958-5
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Hyun Jin Lee & Dong Kun Lee & Wonkyong Song, 2019. "Relationships between Social Capital, Social Capital Satisfaction, Self-Esteem, and Depression among Elderly Urban Residents: Analysis of Secondary Survey Data," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-13, April.
    4. Jiang, Wenhao & Stickley, Andrew & Ueda, Michiko, 2021. "Green space and suicide mortality in Japan: An ecological study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    5. Rui Zhou & Ying-Jing Zheng & Jing-Yi Yun & Hong-Mei Wang, 2022. "The Effects of Urban Green Space on Depressive Symptoms of Mid-Aged and Elderly Urban Residents in China: Evidence from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Wei-Lun Tsai & Melissa R. McHale & Viniece Jennings & Oriol Marquet & J. Aaron Hipp & Yu-Fai Leung & Myron F. Floyd, 2018. "Relationships between Characteristics of Urban Green Land Cover and Mental Health in U.S. Metropolitan Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-12, February.
    7. Charlotte Wendelboe-Nelson & Sarah Kelly & Marion Kennedy & John W. Cherrie, 2019. "A Scoping Review Mapping Research on Green Space and Associated Mental Health Benefits," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(12), pages 1-49, June.
    8. Kyung-Duk Min & Ju-Yeun Lee & Yeonghwa So & Sung-il Cho, 2019. "Deforestation Increases the Risk of Scrub Typhus in Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-10, April.
    9. Poung-Sik Yeon & In-Ok Kim & Si-Nae Kang & Nee-Eun Lee & Ga-Yeon Kim & Gyeong-Min Min & Chung-Yeub Chung & Jung-Sok Lee & Jin-Gun Kim & Won-Sop Shin, 2022. "Effects of Urban Forest Therapy Program on Depression Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-16, December.
    10. Bingyang Lyu & Taisen Peng & Jialing Zhang & Qibing Chen, 2024. "Evaluating the Impact of Living Plant Architectural Spaces on Regulating Emotions by Using the Profile of Mood State Scale," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-15, September.
    11. Hyeonjin Song & Kevin James Lane & Honghyok Kim & Hyomi Kim & Garam Byun & Minh Le & Yongsoo Choi & Chan Ryul Park & Jong-Tae Lee, 2019. "Association between Urban Greenness and Depressive Symptoms: Evaluation of Greenness Using Various Indicators," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-13, January.
    12. M, Hobbs & N, Bowden & L, Marek & J, Wiki & J, Kokaua & R, Theodore & T, Ruhe & J, Boden & H, Thabrew & S, Hetrick & B, Milne, 2023. "The environment a young person grows up in is associated with their mental health: A nationwide geospatial study using the integrated data infrastructure, New Zealand," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).

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