The Impacts of Visible Green Spaces on the Mental well-being of University Students

• Published in: Applied spatial analysis and policy Vol. 17; no. 3; pp. 1105 - 1127
• Main Authors: Bai, Yihang, Wang, Ruoyu, Yang, Linchuan, Ling, Yantao, Cao, Mengqiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.09.2024
• Subjects: Human Geography; Landscape/Regional and Urban Planning; Regional/Spatial Science; Social Sciences; well-being; Public Health; Urban Planning; Mental Health; Travel Behaviour; Visible Green Spaces; deep Learning
• ISSN: 1874-463X; 1874-4621
• DOI: 10.1007/s12061-024-09578-7

The benefits of green spaces on individuals’ health have been widely acknowledged due to their inherent natural qualities. Currently, university students are experiencing significantly higher levels of mental health problems than other social groups. There is a scarcity of studies examining the association between built environment factors and mental health issues among university students, particularly in the Chinese context. University campuses in China are physically isolated, secluded communities, and in this respect, they differ markedly from the spatial organisation patterns of Western universities. Therefore, this study focuses on the correlation between the extent of green space exposure within closed university campuses and the occurrence of mental health issues among resident students. A deep-learning methodology incorporating streetscape images, remote sensing data, and multilevel linear modelling is employed in order to facilitate a comprehensive analysis. The results demonstrate a negative correlation between green space exposure on campus and the level of mental health issues among university students. Individual socio-demographic characteristics, such as whether a person has a partner, are also found to influence the level of mental health issues that they experience. In addition, a significant relationship is found between travel patterns and mental health issues, with students who walked regularly having a lower incidence of mental health issues than those who drove. Our research indicates that, in order to foster healthier communities and enhance social inclusion, urban planners should prioritise the development of greener campuses and urban transport services to improve accessibility to green spaces. Highlights This study investigates the impacts of campus green space exposure on mental health issues. The study participants comprised 811 students from 10 universities in Guangzhou, China. An inverse correlation exists between exposure to green space within closed university campuses and the prevalence of mental health issues. Personal characteristics and travel patterns have significant impacts on mental health.