Data_Sheet_1_A Meta-Analysis of Emotional Evidence for the Biophilia Hypothesis and Implications for Biophilic Design.zip

The biophilia hypothesis posits an innate biological and genetic connection between human and nature, including an emotional dimension to this connection. Biophilic design builds on this hypothesis in an attempt to design human-nature connections into the built environment. This article builds on this theoretical framework through a meta-analysis of experimental studies on the emotional impacts of human exposure to natural and urban environments. A total of 49 studies were identified, with a combined sample size of 3,201 participants. The primary findings indicated that exposure to natural environments had a medium to large effect on both increasing positive affect and decreasing negative affect. This finding supported the anticipated emotional dimension of the biophilia hypothesis and lends credibility to biophilic design theory. Evidence was revealed in support of the affective/arousal response model. Immersion in environments indicated a larger effect size than laboratory simulation of environments. Methodological recommendations for future experimental research were few, however the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) outcome measure was recommended as a measure of both positive and negative affect for further studies. A combination measurement of stress related outcome variables was proposed to further explore the affective/arousal response model and its potential relationship to the biophilia hypothesis. The meta-analysis provides evidence for fundamental theories regarding human-nature connection, while revealing gaps in current knowledge.</p

A systematic review of well-being interventions and initiatives for Australian and New Zealand emergency service workers

Emergency service workers (i.e., police, fire, ambulance, rescue personnel) are exposed to stressful events that can adversely impact their mental health and well-being. This systematic review investigated (1) what well-being initiatives and interventions have been implemented with Australian and New Zealand emergency service workers, (2) how they have been evaluated, and (3) whether they were effective. A systematic literature search identified 19 peer-reviewed studies eligible for inclusion. Eleven studies examined secondary interventions, seven examined primary interventions and only one study examined a tertiary intervention. Most studies measured mental health outcomes (e.g., depression, anxiety). However, some studies used evaluation measures that were not directly related to mental health or well-being (e.g., satisfaction, changes to attitudes). Interventions including physical activity, manager mental health training, social support, psychological debriefing, mindfulness, and an ambulance chaplaincy initiative were found to lead to improvements in mental health and well-being in Australian and New Zealand emergency service workers. Only two ongoing and self-sustaining mental health initiatives were reported. Further research is required into primary interventions and organisational-level initiatives to enable a preventative approach to mitigate daily stress and enhance the mental and physical well-being of emergency workers. What is already known about this topic:Emergency service workers have higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression than the general population.Evidence based mental health and well-being support is crucial for emergency service workers to ensure they can protect their respective communities effectively.Research focused on the prevalence of mental health issues for emergency workers is well represented in the literature, however, evidence for interventions designed to improve mental health outcomes is scarce. Emergency service workers have higher rates of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression than the general population. Evidence based mental health and well-being support is crucial for emergency service workers to ensure they can protect their respective communities effectively. Research focused on the prevalence of mental health issues for emergency workers is well represented in the literature, however, evidence for interventions designed to improve mental health outcomes is scarce. What this topic adds:This review contributes by identifying and evaluating studies focused on mental health and well-being interventions for emergency service workers in Australia and New Zealand.This review distinguished between interventions (programs with defined start and end points) and initiatives (programs that are ongoing and self-sustaining), and only two initiatives were reported.Interventions that led to improvements in mental health and well-being were those related to mindfulness, physical activity, manager mental health training, social support, psychological debriefing, and an ambulance chaplaincy initiative. This review contributes by identifying and evaluating studies focused on mental health and well-being interventions for emergency service workers in Australia and New Zealand. This review distinguished between interventions (programs with defined start and end points) and initiatives (programs that are ongoing and self-sustaining), and only two initiatives were reported. Interventions that led to improvements in mental health and well-being were those related to mindfulness, physical activity, manager mental health training, social support, psychological debriefing, and an ambulance chaplaincy initiative.</p