Urban green space engagement patterns and mental health in a Mediterranean City

Urbanization exacerbates mental health challenges, yet urban green spaces (GSs), including vegetated and coastal natural environments, offer potential mitigation through restorative effects. While structural GS indicators dominate research, patterns of actual use remain underexplored, particularly in Mediterranean contexts. This study examines associations between GS visitation patterns and mental well-being in a Mediterranean urban setting.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 718 adult residents of Chania, Greece. Data encompassed socio-demographics, GS accessibility and usage (frequency, duration, social context), and mental health via the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12). Analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and ordinal logistic to examine associations between GS-related variables and mental health indicators.

GS engagement was significantly associated with multiple mental health outcomes. Higher visit frequency, longer visit duration, and better perceived GS quality were generally linked to improved psychological well-being, including greater happiness, self-confidence, sleep stability, and daily functioning, as well as lower levels of stress, strain, depression, and feelings of worthlessness. GS-based physical activity was also associated with more favorable mental health indicators compared with gym-based activity.

Actual GS engagement, particularly frequent and prolonged visits, showed more consistent associations with favorable mental health indicators than GS availability alone. Urban planning strategies should therefore focus on creating accessible, attractive, and multifunctional GSs that promote regular and sustained use, thereby supporting mental well-being in Mediterranean urban environments. These findings underscore the need for behavior-focused interventions in GS-health research.