The benefits of outdoor activities for older people’s wellbeing. Jemma Hawkins University of Wales Institute Cardiff

Background Ageing Well Project – model behind the research Adversity / Deprivation / Disadvantage Psychological Stress Acceleration of cellular ageing Increased deterioration And risk of age-related disease Biological Stress Outdoor Physical Activity Diet & Nutrition

The impact of stress on health ◦ Physical Health ◦ Mental Health The Stress Process (Cohen & Wills, 1983) Stress, Wellbeing and Ageing Background – Stress Process

Background – 1 st phase Cross-Sectional Validation Study

Perceived Stress (PSS-10) Social Support (SPS) Self-esteem (Rosenberg) Physical Activity level (IPAQ-SF) Self-reported health (SF-36) Demographic measures ◦ Age, sex, social economic status Variables and Measures

Members of different activity groups Aged 50 years or above Don’t take regularly take part in the other activities Sample (N=93)

Hypothesis: Members of outdoor physical activity groups would exhibit lower stress levels than members of indoor activity groups OutdoorsContact with nature Social Support Indoor Exercise Groups Walking Groups ? Allotment Keepers Home Gardeners Sample Table

Reliability (Cronbach’s alpha, α ) Validity PSS correlates with SF-36 wellbeing scale, r =-.64, p=.01 Comparison Data ScalePreviousThis Study Perceived Stress Scale SF-36 (perceived health) Scale.84 Validation of Measurements OPWMAWP SF-36 Physical Score - males SF-36 Physical Score – females SF-36 Mental Score - males SF-36 Mental Score - females

Mean Perceived Stress Score by group (F = 1.595, p < 0.05) Results

Mean SF-36 Physical Component Score by group (n.s) Results

No significant effect of sex (F=2.963, p>.05) and no significant interaction between group and sex. Results

No significant effect of level of deprivation (F=.630, p>.05) and no significant interaction between group and level of deprivation Results

No significant difference in levels of social support, self- esteem or physical activity, so were these not involved in the difference in stress levels? Difference also not due to heterogeneity in proportions of males and females or levels of deprivation Possible factors involved: ◦ Contact with nature ◦ Productivity ◦ Creativity ◦ Nurturance ◦ Coping Discussions

Preliminary Interview Data Exercise Social Support Satisfaction / Rewarding Been outdoors / in nature Seeing things grow

Subsequent phases of the Ageing Well Project ◦ General Population large cohort study on lifestyles (all ages, all lifestyles) ◦ Bee Keeper samples (consumption of honey and outdoor activity) Prospective follow-up study of outdoor activities The Future Take Home Message: Gardening may be key for growing a healthy older population!

THANK YOU THANK YOU References: [1] Aldridge, J. & Sempick, J. (2002) Social and Therapeutic Horticulture: Evidence and Messages from Research. Reading: Thrive, Loughborough: CCFR. [2] Pretty et al. (2005) The mental and physical health outcomes of green exercise. International Journal of Environmental Health Research, 15, [3] Sugiyama, T. & Thompson, C. W. (2007) Outdoor environments, activity and the well-being of older people: conceptualising environmental support. Environment and Planning A, 39, [4] Van Den Berg, A.E. & Custers, M.H.G. (2010) Gardening promotes neuroendocrine and affective restoration from stress. Journal of Health Psychology, doi: / [5] Berman, M. G.; Jonides, J.; Kaplan, S. (2008) The cognitive benefits of interacting with nature. Psychological Science., 19 (12), 1207–12. [6] Barton, J., & Pretty, J. (2010). What is the Best Dose of Nature and Green Exercise for Improving Mental Health? A Multi-Study Analysis. Environmental Science & Technology, 44(10), [7] Cohen, S. & Wills, T. A. (1985) Stress, Social Support, and the Buffering Hypothesis. Psychological Bulletin, 98,