TY - JOUR
T1 - Linking green space to health
T2 - A comparative study of two urban neighbourhoods in Ghent, Belgium
AU - Van Herzele, Ann
AU - de Vries, S
N1 - Publication Authorstring : Van Herzele, A.; de Vries, S.
Publication RefStringPartII : <i>Population and environment 34(2)</i>: 171–193
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - This paper investigates the nature of the relationship between the
greenness of the local environment and the health and well-being of its inhabitants
by looking at a number of possible mediators within the same study: physical
activity, perceived stress, ability to concentrate, social cohesion and neighbourhood
satisfaction. Data were collected through a survey of residents in two neighbourhoods
that differ objectively in green space provision, but which are largely similar
in demographics, socio-economic factors, housing conditions and other environmental
characteristics, apart from green space. Of the three dependent variables of
interest: self-reported general health, bodily functioning and general well-being
(happiness), it was self-reported happiness that differed significantly between the
two neighbourhoods, with greater happiness in the greener neighbourhood.
Amongst the possible mediators, people’s satisfaction with their neighbourhood
differed significantly: those living in the greener neighbourhood were more satisfied.
Mediation analysis indicated that neighbourhood satisfaction fully mediates the
relationship between neighbourhood greenness and happiness. Among the specific
(environmental and social) neighbourhood qualities asked about, perception of
neighbourhood greenness was found to be the most important predictor of neighbourhood
satisfaction. Additional analysis showed that the view from the living
room—green or not green—fully mediates the relationship between neighbourhood
AB - This paper investigates the nature of the relationship between the
greenness of the local environment and the health and well-being of its inhabitants
by looking at a number of possible mediators within the same study: physical
activity, perceived stress, ability to concentrate, social cohesion and neighbourhood
satisfaction. Data were collected through a survey of residents in two neighbourhoods
that differ objectively in green space provision, but which are largely similar
in demographics, socio-economic factors, housing conditions and other environmental
characteristics, apart from green space. Of the three dependent variables of
interest: self-reported general health, bodily functioning and general well-being
(happiness), it was self-reported happiness that differed significantly between the
two neighbourhoods, with greater happiness in the greener neighbourhood.
Amongst the possible mediators, people’s satisfaction with their neighbourhood
differed significantly: those living in the greener neighbourhood were more satisfied.
Mediation analysis indicated that neighbourhood satisfaction fully mediates the
relationship between neighbourhood greenness and happiness. Among the specific
(environmental and social) neighbourhood qualities asked about, perception of
neighbourhood greenness was found to be the most important predictor of neighbourhood
satisfaction. Additional analysis showed that the view from the living
room—green or not green—fully mediates the relationship between neighbourhood
U2 - 10.1007%2Fs11111-011-0153-1
DO - 10.1007%2Fs11111-011-0153-1
M3 - A1: Web of Science-article
VL - 34
SP - 171
EP - 193
JO - Population and environment
JF - Population and environment
IS - 2
ER -