Information Package / Course Catalogue
Green Spaces in Terms of Mental and Physical Heath
Course Code: ZPM523
Course Type: Area Elective
Couse Group: Second Cycle (Master's Degree)
Education Language: Turkish
Work Placement: N/A
Theory: 3
Prt.: 0
Credit: 3
Lab: 0
ECTS: 8
Objectives of the Course

The objectives of this course are to educate and teach definition and types of green space; Diathesis-stress model and relationship between stress, depression and anxiety; Attention Restoration Theory and Psycho-evolutionary Theory; effects of green space on human general health; effects of green space on human mental health; restorative effects of green space; effects of green space visit on people; effects of amount of green space in terms of physical, mental and social health on people; effects of viewing green space; effects of green space exercise on human health; effects of green space on children and elderly people.

Course Content

The content of this course is definition and types of green space; Diathesis-stress model and relationship between stress, depression and anxiety; Attention Restoration Theory and Psycho-evolutionary Theory; effects of green space on human general health; effects of green space on human mental health; restorative effects of green space; effects of green space visit on people; effects of amount of green space in terms of physical, mental and social health on people; effects of viewing green space; effects of green space exercise on human health; effects of green space on children and elderly people.

Name of Lecturer(s)
Lec. Abdullah AKPINAR
Learning Outcomes
1.To learn definition and types of green space,
2.To learn and understand the Diathesis-stress model and relationship between stress, depression and anxiety,
3.To understand and learn Attention Restoration Theory and Psycho-evolutionary Theory,
4.Understanding the perceived restoration scale
5.To understand and learn the mental, restorative, and physical effects of green space on human,
6.To grasp the effects of green space on children and elderly people.
Recommended or Required Reading
1.Akpinar, A., 2013. Assessing the associations among green space type, structure, general mental health and general health employing the BRFSS and the US national land cover data, Doktora Tezi, Pullman: Washington State University. v
2.Astell-Burt, T., Feng, X., & Kolt, G. (2013). Mental health benefits of neighbourhood green space are stronger among physically active adults in middle-to-older age: Evidence from 260,061 Australians. Preventive Medicine, 57, 601–606
3.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, 3947–3955.
4.Berman, M. G., Ethan, K., Krpan, K. M., Askren, M. K., Burson, A., Deldin, P. J., . . . Jonides, J. (2012). Interacting with nature improves cognition and affect for individuals with depression. Journal of Affective Disorders, 140, 300-305.
5.Beyer, K. M., Kaltenbach, A., Szabo, A., Bogar, S., Nieto, F., & Malecki, K. (2014). Exposure to neighborhood green space and mental health: Evidence from the survey of the health of Wisconsin. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 11, 3453-3472.
6.de Vries, S., Verheij, R. A., Groenewegen, P. P., & Preeuwenberg, P. S. (2003). Natural environments- healthy environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship between greenspace and health. Environment and Planning A., 35(10), 1717-1731.
7.Hartig, T., & Staats, H. (2006). The need for psychological restoration as a determinant of environmental preferences. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 26, 215–226.
8.Kaplan, R., & Kaplan, S. (1989). The Experience of nature: A psychological perspective. New York: Cambridge University Press.
9.Kaplan, S. (1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15, 169–182.
10.Lafortezza, R., Carrus, G., Sanesi, G., & Davies, C. (2009). Benefits and well-being perceived by people visiting green spaces in periods of heat stress. Urban Forestry & Urban Greening, 8, 97-108.
11.Maas, J., van Dillen, S., Verheij, R., & Groenewegen, P. (2009). Social contacts as a possible mechanism behind the relation between green space and health. Health & Place, 15, 586–595.
12.McCaffrey, R. (2007). The effect of healing gardens and art therapy on older adults with mild to moderate depression. Holistic Nursing Practice, 21(2), 79–84.
13.Mitchell, R., & Popham, F. (2007). Evidence based public health policy and practive: Greenspace, urbanity and health relationships in England. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, 61(8), 681-683.
14.Monroe, S. M., & Simons, D. A. (1991). Diathesis-Stress Theories in the Context of Life Stress Research: Implications for the Depressive Disorders. Psychological Bulletin, 110(3), 406-425.
15.Roe, J., & Aspinall, P. (2011). The restorative benefits of walking in urban and rural settings in adults with good and poor mental health. Health & Place, 17, 103–113.
16.Sapolsky, R. M. (2004). Why zebras don`t get ulcers? New York: Henry Holt and Company.
17.Stigsdotter, U. A. (2004). A garden at your workplace may reduce stress. Design and Health, 147-157.
18.Taylor, A., & Kuo, F. (2009). Children with attention deficits concentrate better after walk in the park. JAD, 12, 402–409.
19.Ulrich, R. S. (1979). Visual landscapes and psychological well-being. Landscape Research, 4(1), 17-23.
20.Ulrich, R. S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. American Association for the Advancement of Science, 224(4647), 420-421.
21.Ulrich, R. S., & Simons, R. F. (1986). Recovery from Stress during Exposure to Everyday Outdoor Environments. Costs of Not Knowing proceedings of the seventeenth annual conference of the environmental design research association, 115-122.
22.Wells, N. M., & Evans, G. W. (2003). Nearby nature: A buffer of life stress among rural children. Environment and Behavior, 35(3), 311-330.
Weekly Detailed Course Contents
Week 1 - Theoretical
Introduction of course: content, importance, method, and needs.
Week 2 - Theoretical
Definition and types of green space
Week 3 - Theoretical
Diathesis-stress model
Week 4 - Theoretical
Relationship between stress, depression and anxiety
Week 5 - Theoretical
Attention Restoration Theory
Week 6 - Theoretical
Psycho-evolutionary Theory
Week 7 - Theoretical
Effects of green space on human general health
Week 8 - Theoretical
Effects of green space on human mental health
Week 9 - Theoretical
Restorative effects of green space
Week 10 - Theoretical
Effects of green space visit on people
Week 11 - Theoretical
Effects of amount of green space in terms of physical, mental and social health on people
Week 12 - Theoretical
Effects of viewing green space
Week 13 - Theoretical
Effects of green space exercise on human health
Week 14 - Theoretical
Effects of green space on children and elderly people
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Type of AssessmentCountPercent
Midterm Examination1%30
Final Examination1%70
Workload Calculation
ActivitiesCountPreparationTimeTotal Work Load (hours)
Lecture - Theory140342
Assignment2048
Individual Work140570
Midterm Examination136440
Final Examination136440
TOTAL WORKLOAD (hours)200
Contribution of Learning Outcomes to Programme Outcomes
PÇ-1
PÇ-2
PÇ-3
PÇ-4
PÇ-5
PÇ-6
PÇ-7
OÇ-1
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
OÇ-2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
OÇ-3
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
OÇ-4
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
OÇ-5
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
OÇ-6
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Adnan Menderes University - Information Package / Course Catalogue
2026