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Updated: Sep 17, 2025
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Measuring Biophysical and Psychological Stress Levels Following Visitation to Three Locations with Differing Levels of Nature
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MENTAL HEALTH STATUS AND THIRD PLACES USE AMONG RURAL WORKING-AGE ADULTS IN THE UNITED STATES
Jennifer Kowalkowski1, Danielle Rhubart2, Yiping Li2
1Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Pennsylvania State University, United States.
Rural Society
|July 2, 2025
Summary
Visiting public places, known as third places, and social engagement are linked to improved mental health in rural working-aged adults. This highlights the importance of community connection for well-being.
Area of Science:
- Public health
- Social epidemiology
- Rural health
Background:
- Growing need to address mental health through social determinants and lifestyle.
- Third place use (public spaces outside home/work) impacts social health and belonging.
- Limited research on third place use and mental health in at-risk rural populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if third place use is associated with mental health in rural working-aged adults.
- To investigate the relationship between social engagement and mental health in this demographic.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from a representative sample of 1,135 rural adults aged 18-64.
- Examined associations between various levels of third place use and mental health indicators.
Main Results:
- Both engaging in third places and social interaction were associated with better mental health outcomes.
- Higher levels of third place use correlated with improved mental health among participants.
Conclusions:
- Third place use is a significant social determinant of health for rural working-aged adults.
- Encouraging third place engagement may be a viable lifestyle factor for enhancing mental health in rural communities.
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