How does residential and daily green space exposure promote individual mental health in the suburbs? A study via multiple pathways

The interaction between green spaces and mental health has become an important focus for policy designers, as well as scholars in geography and planning. Recent research has shifted from static methods of evaluating exposure to residential green spaces to more dynamic approaches that consider individual mobility. However, there are few studies that have explored the connection between daily exposure to green spaces and mental health. This study examines suburban Shanghai and combines various sources of green space data with activity diary information to analyze how residential and daily green space exposure influence residents' mental health. We discovered significant differences in both residential and daily exposure to green spaces among suburban residents. In residential areas, the quantity of green space contributed to residents' mental well-being by encouraging physical activity, and greater flower color diversity helped to reduce psychological stress. In daily environments, a higher amount of green space positively impacted residents' mental health, primarily by fostering physical activity and social interaction. Conversely, a higher ratio of deciduous vegetation was found to directly benefit residents' mental health. Additionally, our study indicated that individuals with lower economic means and fewer family constraints relied more on green spaces to enhance their mental health. These findings suggest that incorporating individual perspectives into the development of urban green spaces is essential.