Reducing Anxiety with Nature and Gardening (RANG): Evaluating the Impacts of Gardening and Outdoor Activities on Anxiety among U.S. Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Reducing Anxiety with Nature and Gardening (RANG): Evaluating the Impacts of Gardening and Outdoor Activities on Anxiety among U.S. Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic
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Date
2022-04-22
Authors
Gerdes, Megan E.
Aistis, Lucy A.
Sachs, Naomi A.
Williams, Marcus
Roberts, Jennifer D.
Rosenberg Goldstein, Rachel E.
Advisor
Citation
Gerdes, M.E.; Aistis, L.A.; Sachs, N.A.; Williams, M.; Roberts, J.D.; Rosenberg Goldstein, R.E. Reducing Anxiety with Nature and Gardening (RANG): Evaluating the Impacts of Gardening and Outdoor Activities on Anxiety among U.S. Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19, 5121.
DRUM DOI
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted mental health. Growing research has identified the
mental health benefits of nature contact, including gardening. We used a cross-sectional survey
to investigate the association between gardening and other outdoor activities with anxiety among
U.S. adults. The RANG (Reducing Anxiety with Nature and Gardening) survey was distributed
online from June–September 2020 through social media (Twitter and Facebook) and a national Master
Gardeners listserv. Survey questions captured demographics, COVID-19 experiences, gardening,
outdoor activities, and anxiety using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale. Data were
analyzed using chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Kruskal–Wallis tests, as well as logistic regression.
Among participants, 46% reported anxiety symptoms. Participants who had gardened ≥ 15 years
and those gardening > 8 h over two weeks had lower anxiety scores. Spending more time outdoors
on weekdays also decreased anxiety scores. After adjusting for covariates, lower odds of anxiety
were identified for 50–69 and 70–89-year-olds vs. 18–29-year-olds; males vs. females; and Texas vs.
Maryland residents. These findings confirm increased anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic and
suggest that sustained gardening and other outdoor activities could help reduce anxiety.
Notes
Partial funding for Open Access provided by the UMD Libraries' Open Access Publishing Fund.