The aim of the study is to understand how different aspects of city living affect wellbeing. The investigators hope that the results from the study will inform town planners and policy makers about how city spaces can be designed for better health and wellbeing of residents. What? This study will test the use of a new intervention amongst adults with common mental health difficulties such as depression and anxiety. The intervention will be a smartphone app which will prompt users twice a day to notice and record the good things about green spaces or built spaces around Sheffield. Previous research has shown that engaging with the natural environment can benefit health and mental wellbeing. Who? Adults over 18 years old, who have a mild to moderate common mental health problem (such as depression or anxiety), and who own a smartphone will be able to participate. Where? Participants will use the app as part of their day to day routine as they travel around Sheffield and the surrounding area. The app will prompt them to notice green or built spaces around them. How? The app will be delivered as a 'green prescription' which means that health professionals will tell their patients about the intervention. If patients choose to take part, they will be allocated at random to either noticing the good things about green spaces or the good things about built spaces. This is to control for whether noticing green space or noticing other aspects of city life affects health and wellbeing. Patients will complete questionnaires about health, mental wellbeing and their feelings about nature, before, after and 3 months after using the app for one month.
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Number of participants completing the study
Timeframe: post-intervention at 1 month
Number of participants who write daily notes
Timeframe: post-intervention at 1 month
Change in Recovering Quality of Life scale (Brazier et al., 2014) from baseline to post-intervention
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 1 month
Change in Inclusion of self in nature scale (Schultz, 2001) between baseline and post-intervention
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 1 month
Change in Types of positive affect scale (Gilbert et al., 2009) between baseline and post-intervention
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 1 month
Change in Nature Relatedness scale (Nisbet & Zelenski 2008) between baseline and post-intervention
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 1 month
Change in Engagement with Natural Beauty scale (Diessner et al. 2008) between baseline and post-intervention
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 1 month
Change in EQ-5D-European Quality of Life scale (Rabin, 2001) between baseline and post-intervention
Timeframe: Baseline and post-intervention at 1 month
Details about participants visit to green/built spaces
Timeframe: post-intervention at 1 month