TY  - JOUR
PY  - 2012//
TI  - Exercise-, nature- and socially interactive-based initiatives improve mood and self-esteem in the clinical population
JO  - Perspectives in public health
A1  - Barton, Jo
A1  - Griffin, Murray
A1  - Pretty, Jules
SP  - 89
EP  - 96
VL  - 132
IS  - 2
N2  - AIMS: This study evaluated two existing group-based health promotion initiatives (a social club and a swimming group) and compared these to a new green exercise programme (weekly countryside and urban park walks). METHODS: Participants represented a clinical population (N = 53) and were all experiencing a range of mental health problems. They only attended one of the three programmes and sessions were held once a week for six weeks in all initiatives. Composite questionnaires incorporating two standardized measures to analyse changes in self-esteem and mood were completed before and after all sessions. RESULTS: A significant main effect for self-esteem and mood pre and post activity (p < 0.001) was reported after participating in a single session. The change in self-esteem was significantly greater in the green exercise group compared with the social activities club (p < 0.001). Dose responses showed that both self-esteem and mood levels improved over the six-week period and improvements were related to attendance in the green exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: Green exercise as a health-promoting initiative for people experiencing mental ill health is equally as effective as existing programmes. Combining exercise, nature and social components in future initiatives may play a key role in managing and supporting recovery from mental ill health, suggesting a potential 'green' approach to mental healthcare and promotion.<p />  <p>Language: en</p>
LA  - en
SN  - 1757-9139
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/
ID  - ref1
ER  -