Perceived Environmental and Psychological Benefits of Green Spaces and Garden Plants in Maysan Governorate, Iraq: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Urban parks and garden plants have long been touted for their potential environmental and mental health gains. To investigate the community awareness of environmental and mental health benefits of green spaces and garden plants among people of Maysan Governorate, Iraq. A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted 105 convenience-sampled participants. Information was gathered through a structured questionnaire which included demographic information, presence of green space and plants, environmental knowledge, perceived environmental benefits, psychological health, and knowledge of afforestation. Analysis was carried out by using Jamovi version 2.3.28. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, with an independent samples t-test and Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results indicated that 84.6% of the population had plants or green spaces at home, and 92.3% agreed that plants can improve air quality, 83.1% that they can reduce dust, while 85.4% considered that they can lower ambient temperature. With respect to psychological benefits, 95.4% of respondents agreed they feel relaxed in green space, 83.1% were of the opinion that plants diminish stress, and 85.4% agreed that green space has a positive impact on mood. In addition, the female participants had statistically higher environmental and psychological scores than males (p = 0.002 and p = 0.033, respectively). In addition, a positive significant correlation was found between the scores of environmental quality and psychological well-being (r = 0.541, p<0.001).These results demonstrate public perceptions of the environmental and psychological benefits of green spaces and could inform sustainable urban planning and environmental consciousness interventions in the Maysan Governorate and comparable settings.