title: Exploring ecological, emotional and social levers of self-rated health for urban gardeners and non-gardeners: A path analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The social, emotional, and mental health benefits associated with gardening have been well documented. However, the processes underlying the relationship between garden participation and improvements in health status have not been sufficiently studied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using population-based survey data (n = 469 urban residents), objective street environment data, and area-level measures, this research used a path analytic framework to examine several theoretically based constructs as mediators between gardening history and self-reported health.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results showed that garden participation influenced health status indirectly through social involvement with one's community, perceived aesthetic appeal of the neighborhood, and perceived collective efficacy. Gardeners, compared to non-gardeners, reported higher ratings of neighborhood aesthetics and more involvement in social activities, whereas aesthetics and involvement were associated with higher ratings of collective efficacy and neighborhood attachment. Collective efficacy, but not neighborhood attachment, predicted self-rated health. Gardening also directly influenced improved fruit and vegetable intake. The physical and social qualities of garden participation may therefore stimulate a range of interpersonal and social responses that are supportive of positive ratings of health.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This research suggests that community planners and health professionals should aim to strengthen the social and aesthetic relationships while designing environments and policies as a way to ignite intermediate processes that may lead to improved health status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health, Colorado School of Public Health, 13001 E. 17th Place, Mail Stop: B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA. Electronic address: jill.litt@ucdenver.edu.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Litt
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, 13001 E. 17th Place, Mail Stop: B119, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Schmiege
authors.affiliation: Department of Sociology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80521, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hale
authors.affiliation: Denver Urban Gardens, 1031 33rd Street, Suite 100, Denver, CO 80205, USA.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Buchenau
authors.affiliation: Department of Planning and Design, College of Architecture and Planning, University of Colorado-Boulder, Campus Box 314 Boulder, CO 80309, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Sancar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D059026:Diagnostic Self Evaluation; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012931:Social Environment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population
keywords: Aesthetics; Built environment; Collective efficacy; Gardening; Neighborhood attachment; Self-rated health; Social involvement