Green and blue spaces to support trauma-informed care
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The use of green and blue spaces to support trauma-informed care.
IRAS ID
318828
Contact name
Claire McCartan
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Research & Development Office, Northern Health & Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
A number of studies have highlighted the therapeutic benefits of green and blue spaces (‘green’ – defined as open, undeveloped land with natural vegetation; ‘blue’ – visible surface water such as lakes, rivers or coastal waters but can include urban water like canals or ponds). Exposure to green and blue spaces has been linked to improvements in physical health including a reduction in cortisol levels, blood pressure, cholesterol and increases in self-reported health; there is also growing evidence of the benefits for mental health and wellbeing. How green and blue spaces
transmit these benefits may be as a result of increased levels of physical activity and social interaction, greater exposure to sunlight, Vitamin D and healthy bacteria. However, further evidence is required to understand the characteristics of these spaces that promote wellbeing and how the underlying mechanisms may work in practice. Less is understood about the potential benefits and efficacy of day-to-day routine access to outdoor green and blue spaces for mental health service users, and in particular, people affected by and living with trauma. Understanding the views of clinicians and the barriers to accessing or implementing green and blue interventions are also less well understood.
This research will address four questions:
(1) Understand views of health and care professionals about the role that green and blue spaces can contribute to therapeutic trauma-informed care in Northern Ireland;
(2) Outline some of the barriers or facilitators faced by health and care professionals promoting green and blue spaces;
(3) Explore some of the advantages and disadvantages of spending time outdoors for people with experience of trauma
(4) Develop a better understanding of the extent of nature-based approaches to providing care and support for trauma-affected populations; and
(5) Consider strategies to routinely incorporate green and blue access within treatment settingsREC name
East Midlands - Leicester Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/EM/0222
Date of REC Opinion
17 Nov 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion