Re-evaluating suburban green spaces: their role in depression mitigation and social resilience

This study investigated how suburban green spaces influence depression and social resilience and compared their effects with those of urban green spaces under varying social and environmental conditions. By evaluating the differential psychological impacts of urban and suburban green spaces in 2013 and 2021, we examined their distinct effects, with robust tests which confirm the reliability of the findings.

Data from the 2013 and 2021 waves of the Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS) (2,461 respondents) were analyzed by using an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model.

The results show that suburban green spaces are not significantly associated with reduced depression under normal conditions. However, the psychological benefits related of two types of spaces, namely urban and suburban spaces, become evident when mobility is restricted or social interactions decrease. In contrast, urban green spaces consistently enhance mental health in normal contexts, but their positive effects diminish during periods of limited social contact or elevated environmental stress.

This study clarifies the long-standing debate regarding the effectiveness of suburban green spaces. By utilizing residents' perceptions rather than objective indicators, it more accurately captures how individuals experience both urban and suburban green areas. The differential findings between 2013 and 2021 reveal the significantly context-dependent nature of green spaces' impact on mental health. In particular, the research highlights the critical role of suburban green spaces in alleviating depression during periods of heightened social stress or restricted mobility. The inclusion of suburban green spaces in mental health and resilience frameworks is supported by scientific evidence. The findings highlight the importance of suburban green spaces for mental health, particularly under conditions of elevated social stress. These results suggest that improving their accessibility may be beneficial for urban planning, while also potentially supporting broader resilience-related outcomes.