Cited by 32Urban Green Space and HealthAesthetic Perception and AnalysisUrban Development and Cultural Heritage

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

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Reece, Rebecca, Bornioli, Anna, Bray, Isabelle, Alford, Chris·2022·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

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.

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Crossref · 10.3390/ijerph192013052

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  1. [25]Kaplan R. Kaplan S. The Experience of Nature: A Psychological Perspective Cambridge University Press Cambridge, UK 1989

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Authors
Reece, R., Bornioli, A., Bray, I., & Alford, C.
Affiliations
  • University of the West of England (GB)
  • Erasmus University Rotterdam (NL)
Corresponding author
Reece, Rebecca
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2022-10-11
Volume
19
Issue
20
Pages
13052
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4304587330
Cited by
32
References
51
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 2
FWCI
2.26
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • UWE Research Repository (UWE Bristol) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • RePEc: Research Papers in Economics (submittedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
the Faculty of Health and Applied Sciences funded at The University of the West of England (ES-P000630-1)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis › Urban Green Space and Health
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Aesthetic Perception and Analysis
  • Social Sciences › Urban Studies › Urban Development and Cultural Heritage
Keywords
green spaces, historic urban environment, psychological well-being, hedonic tone, stress, alpha activity, EEG, visual attention
MeSH terms
Electroencephalography, Humans, Mental Health, Psychometrics, Stress, Psychological, Outcome Assessment, Health Care

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