ASSOCIATION BETWEEN USE OF GREEN AREAS AND MENTAL HEALTH
FROM URBAN PARKS TO SUSTAINABLE CITIES
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.16891/2317-434X.v11.e3.a2023.pp2179-2187Abstract
Urban parks with green areas are important in reducing environmental impacts and building Sustainable Cities. Research reinforces both these ecosystem services and the positive association between the use of green areas and good mental health indicators. The objective of this paper is to investigate the profile of Park users, as well as the association between the frequency of use of these green areas and mental distress. This is a cross-sectional study, carried out in 3 Parks in the city of São Luís (MA) that are classified as Conservation Units (UC). The data of sociodemographic profile and use of green areas were collected through a questionnaire, and the indices of mental suffering were evaluated with the SRQ - 20 (Self-Reporting Questionnaire). We evaluated 298 people, 52.9% male, 37.8% with higher education level, 35% with income above the national average, and 74.5% of users frequent parks to perform physical activities. As for the mental health indicators, 83.1% of the park users have low levels of mental distress, and the prevalence of mental distress is 2.2 times higher in those who use the park sporadically compared to those who use it 4 times or more per week. We conclude that, for a small portion of the Ludovicense population that uses the parks, the more frequent the use, the lower the rates of mental suffering. Researches that identify the profile of users and the positive effects on health promote the access to green areas in the urban environment, strengthening the development of more inclusive, healthy and sustainable cities.