A recent national study conducted by researchers from Carleton University and the University of Toronto has uncovered the positive impact of green spaces on the mental health of older adults during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, titled “Residential Greenness Reduced Depression During COVID-19: Longitudinal Analyses from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA),” was published in the journal PLOS One.
The research, which involved over 13,000 urban-dwelling participants in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), found that access to green spaces such as public parks, playing fields, tree canopy cover, and private gardens within neighborhoods can serve as a protective factor against depression. This effect was particularly significant for individuals without a history of depression, those with limited economic resources, and those with mobility limitations.
The study revealed four main findings:
1. Urban areas with higher levels of vegetation were associated with lower rates of depression during the pandemic. Individuals who were not depressed before COVID-19 but resided in greener neighborhoods were less likely to develop depression.
2. Living in green neighborhoods was especially beneficial for lower-income Canadians. The mental health benefits of residential greenness were more pronounced among individuals with lower wealth, particularly those who were not previously depressed.
3. People with mobility challenges experienced greater benefits from living in greener neighborhoods. For individuals without pre-existing depression, those with mobility issues derived stronger mental health benefits from green spaces, possibly due to restricted access to other green areas.
4. Individuals who rarely ventured out of their neighborhoods before the pandemic saw a greater protective effect from living in greener neighborhoods during the pandemic. The psychological value of green space appeared to increase when social interactions were limited.
The authors of the study suggest that these findings call for a reevaluation of urban planning and mental health policies in Canada. They emphasize the importance of expanding equitable access to green spaces, particularly in lower-income neighborhoods, to support mental well-being. Integrating green infrastructure into mental health resilience strategies is also recommended.
While the study provided valuable insights into the relationship between green spaces and mental health during the pandemic, the researchers acknowledge that certain vulnerable populations, such as those in long-term care facilities, were not represented in the sample. Further research is needed to explore the impact of green spaces on the mental health of all segments of the population.
For more information on the study, you can access the publication in PLOS One titled “Residential Greenness Reduced Depression During COVID-19: Longitudinal Analyses from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)” (DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0329141). This study was made possible by the collaboration between Carleton University and the University of Toronto.
