Exposure to green and historic urban environments and mental well-being: Results from EEG and psychometric outcome measures

Reece, Rebecca; Bornioli, Anna; Bray, Isabelle; Alford, Chris

Abstract

Previous studies have identified the benefits of exposure to green or historic environments using qualitative methods and psychometric measures, but studies using a combination of measures are lacking. This study builds on current literature by focusing specifically on green and historic urban environments and using both psychological and physiological measures to investigate the impact of virtual exposure on well-being. Results from the psychological measures showed that the presence of historic elements was associated with a significantly stronger recuperation of hedonic tone (p = 0.01) and reduction in stress (p = 0.04). However, the presence of greenness had no significant effect on hedonic tone or stress. In contrast, physiological measures (EEG) showed significantly lower levels of alpha activity (p < 0.001) in occipital regions of the brain when participants viewed green environments, reflecting increased engagement and visual attention. In conclusion, this study has added to the literature by showing the impact that historic environments can have on well-being, as well as highlighting a lack of concordance between psychological and physiological measures. This supports the use of a combination of subjective and direct objective measures in future research in this field.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Oct 6, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 11, 2022
• Publication Date: Oct 11, 2022
• Deposit Date: Oct 11, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 11, 2022
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 20
• Pages: 13052
• Series Title: Place, Space and Mental Health
• Series ISSN: 1660-4601
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192013052
• Keywords: Article, green environments, historic environments, well-being, EEG, virtual exposure, restorative environments
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/10036663
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/20/13052
• Related Public URLs: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph/special_issues/place_space_mental_health