FACULTY OF EDUCATION AND BUSINESS STUDIES

Department of Humanities

Nature’s Impact on Mental and Physical Wellbeing

A study of the mental and physical health in Greek

Immigrants to Sweden

Asimina Giouvanaki

2020/2021

Master thesis, Advanced level, 30 credits

Master Programme in Religious Studies
RVA 800

Supervisor: Olov Dahlin

Examiner: Peder Thalén
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would first like to thank my thesis advisor Dr. Olov Dahlin of the Faculty of Education
and Business Studies, Department of Humanities at University of Gävle. The virtual
door to Prof. Dahlin office was always open whenever I ran into a trouble spot or had a
question about my research or writing. He consistently allowed this paper to be my own
work but steered me in the right direction whenever he thought I needed it.
I would also like to thank Dr. Jari Ristiniemi, Programme director of the Master
Programme in Religious Studies. Without his passionate participation and input, the 2
years could not have been successfully completed.
I would also like to acknowledge Kenneth D. Schwartz, Editor at Voice of
America for his invaluable feedback on my writing, Nefely Tzoumi, Mcs of National
Kapodistrian University of Athens Greece for her invaluable statistical input on
conducting quantitative research as well as Dr. Marianne Tatom, Shayna Litvin-Sklar,
and Miralem Mehanovic for their emotional support. I am gratefully indebted to them
for their valuable comments on this thesis.
Finally, I must express my very profound gratitude to my husband Pantelis, and
children Despina and Spyros for providing me with unfailing patience, support, and
continuous encouragement throughout my years of study and through the process of
researching and writing this thesis. This accomplishment would not have been possible
without them.

Thank You!
ABSTRACT
In the past Man coinhabited harmoniously with nature only to have the balance
disturbed with the advent of the Industrial Revolution replacing the green habitat with
urban concrete settlements Consequently, the characteristics of the contemporary city
pose a set of serious threat to man’s physical and mental health. Crowdedness, lack of
apt infrastructure, pollution, noise pollution and rise in temperature are all contributing
factors to the Man’s demised health and detachment from previous amicable
coexistence with nature.
For the past 30 years, extensive research has been conducted studying the
correlation between man and nature, and nature’s impact on man’s health. The theory of
“Biophilia,” by Edward, O. Wilson, Rachel and Stephen Kaplan’s “Attention Restorative
Theory,” and Roger Ulrich’s “Stress Reduction Theory,” have been innovating and
contributing towards gaining more understanding of the importance of a green
environment in man’s everyday life. As a corollary the above-mentioned theories gave
rise to the following quantitative study conducted over a 4-month period, including 81
respondents, in Spring 2020, focusing on whether a natural green environment in Sweden
had impacted the mental and physical health in Greek immigrants to Sweden.
The findings suggest that comparing the respondents’ life in Greece and
respectively in Sweden there was indeed an improvement in the mood and health of the
sample groups taking into consideration: how healthy they are, how healthy they feel,
how happy they feel in relation to work, time spent in Sweden, marital status and of course
the parameters that focus on the part of the natural environment at home and in their
neighbourhood in Sweden. There seem to have been a statistically significant
improvement in their health compared to when they lived in Greece but there is
insufficient evidence to support that some of the parameters examined are responsible for
this. Happiness on the other hand seem to possess a statistical important role due to their
marital status among others along with the green surrounding environment having an
impact on their mental well-being but not their physical health. Therefore, a more
sustainable green environment seems to have impacted the overall psychological and
physical state of the respondents, but further extensive research is recommended to
investigate in depths others factors i.e., psychosomatics, environmental psychology along
with nature related theories and studies.

Keywords: Biophilia, nature, environment, rehabilitation, ramification, voluntary – involuntary attention,

Stress Reduction Theory, Attention Restorative Theory, Light, Healing, Restorative garden
Table of Figures
Table 1 …………………………………………………………………………….. 8
G01Q07 ……………………………………………………………………………. 24
G01Q03 ……………………………………………………………………………. 25
G01Q05 ……………………………………………………………………………. 26
G01Q04 ……………………………………………………………………………. 26
G01Q08 ……………………………………………………………………………. 27
G01Q10 ……………………………………………………………………………. 27
G01Q11 ……………………………………………………………………………. 28
G01Q29 …………………………………………………………………………..... 29
G01Q40 ……………………………………………………………………………. 29
G01Q33 ……………………………………………………………………………. 30
G01Q43 ……………………………………………………………………………. 30
G01Q35 ……………………………………………………………………………. 31
G01Q45 ……………………………………………………………………………. 31
G01Q36 ……………………………………………………………………………. 32
G01Q46 ……………………………………………………………………………. 32
G01Q31 ……………………………………………………………………………. 33
G01Q41 ……………………………………………………………………………. 33
G01Q32 ……………………………………………………………………………. 34
G01Q42 ……………………………………………………………………………. 34
G01Q37 ……………………………………………………………………………. 35
G01Q47 ……………………………………………………………………………. 35
G01Q38 ……………………………………………………………………………. 36
G01Q48 ……………………………………………………………………………. 36
G01Q39 ……………………………………………………………………………. 37
G01Q49 ……………………………………………………………………………. 37
G01Q12 ……………………………………………………………………………. 38
G01Q24 ……………………………………………………………………………. 39
G01Q16 ……………………………………………………………………………. 39
G01Q28 ……………………………………………………………………………. 40
G01Q19 ……………………………………………………………………………. 40
G01Q20 ……………………………………………………………………………. 41
G01Q23 ……………………………………………………………………………. 41
G01Q17 …………………………………………………………………………… 42
G01Q18 …………………………………………………………………………… 42
G01Q14 …………………………………………………………………………… 43
G01Q26 …………………………………………………………………………… 43
Percentage of Cities of Green ………………………………………………….... 45
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………. 4
2. Aim and Research Questions …………………………………………………..... 5
3. Background ………………………………………………………………….….... 6
4. Theoretical Perspective …………………………………….……………………. 6
4.2. Biophilia …………………………………………………………………….... 6
4.3. Attention Restorative Theory ………………………………………………..... 9
4.4. Theory of Stress Reduction ………………………………………………….. 10
4.5. Phenomenology of Perception ……………………………………………….. 12
5. Previous Research ………………………………………………………….…… 14
6. Research Design, Methods, and Ethics …………………………………….….. 19
6.2. Research Design ……………………………………………………………... 20
6.3. Qualitative Research Method ………………………………………………... 21
6.4. Literature Review ………...………………………………………………….. 21
6.5. Ethics.……………………….……………………………………………….. 22
7. Findings …………………………………...………………………………….….. 24
8. Analysis and Discussion ……………….…………………………………….….. 44
9. Strength and Limitations ……………...…………………………………….….. 47
10. Future Research …………………………………………………………….….. 50
11. Conclusion …………...……………….…………………………………….…... 50
12. Bibliography …………...……………….…………………………………….… 53
13. Appendix I – Nature Questionnaire ....…………………………………….….. 60
14. Appendix II …...…………………………………………………………….….. 66
1.INTRODUCTION
Man has lived on earth for hundreds of thousands of years coexisting with nature, fishing,
hunting, trying to find food. Plants have always played an important role in his way of
life: evidence water, supplying him with easy-to-use building materials, food, medicine,
clothes and much more. The controlling bond with plants is very deeply rooted in human
genes and continues to manifest itself as living organisms that need the natural
environment, plants as much as any other living organism (Kellert & Wilson, 1993:42-
43). On the other hand, they are social beings who live and develop in cities and prosper
with the use of technology. But neither cities nor technology can replace the natural
environment. There has to be a balance; a balance that has been disturbed by the urban
harsh concrete environment and consequently alienated man from the physical world, his
very own ecosystem leading to existential questions on one’s own identity affecting their
mental and physical wellbeing (Abram, 1997:94). As David Abram points out in “The
Spell of the Sensuous”:

We may acknowledge, intellectually, our body’s reliance upon those plants and
animals that we consume as nourishment, yet the civilized mind still feels itself
somehow separate, autonomous, independent of the body and of bodily nature in
general. Only as we begin to notice and to experience, once again, our immersion
in the invisible air do we start to recall what it is to be fully a part of this world…
This breathing landscape is no longer just a passive backdrop against which human
history unfolds, but a potentized field of intelligence in which our actions
participate (1997:260).

Consequently, this has led man to decorate their concrete urban settings with plants
and flowers to reconnect to nature, beautify the space, and inhale the beneficial and
pleasant fragrances to improve one’s psychological mood. In a collaborative study
conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School it was proven
that the simple fact of having a vase displayed with flowers contributed to having an
overall content mood and less depression, worry and anxiety as well as kindness and
compassion to their fellow beings (Etcoff et. al, 2017:6). In the same manner, a study
conducted by Roger Ulrich and his research team at Texas A&M University found that
when employees have a vase of flowers in their office, they are 15% more efficient and
more concentrated (El-Zeiny, 2013:52). Daily interaction and inhabiting in close
proximity to a green natural environment entails a plethora of multiple benefits since they
offer an improved and better quality of life (Dannenmaier, 1995:56-60).
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 The characteristics of the modern city, such as high crowed concentration of,
buildings, infrastructure and equipment pose a hazardous risk factor to its citizens.
Overpopulation, social alienation, degraded living conditions, and lack of basic goods
such as clean water, fresh air and free space are only some of the pathologies of
urbanization. Noise pollution caused by public and transport and industrial and
recreational activities in the city, is also one of the most significant environmental
problems negatively affecting the wellbeing of man. It is estimated that at least 20% of
population of Europe is exposed daily to dangerously high levels of external noise (>
65db), while a percentage of the population around 40% exposed to noise levels (55-65
db) that cause serious ailments i.e., sleep disturbance, concentration difficulty, auditory
and psychological disorders, disorders of the cardiovascular system and increase of blood
pressure and heart rate frequency among others (EE1A, 2019:74-77). The lack of green
space is now one of the most important urban problems since the characterized densely
populated modern cities increases not only the psychopathology of the inhabitants but
also aggravates poverty, the degraded housing conditions intensely. According to EEA’s
report on healthy environment, there was a significant statistical variation in easy walking
distance (minutes) in various European cities demonstrating that the city space of a given
country was irrelevant to their proximity to green space. While 98% of the urban
population in Stockholm had green areas within walking distance that was not the case
for Athens which up until 90% had more than 25-30 minutes’ walking distance to a green
area (EEA, 2019:49-50).

2. AIM AND RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The aim and purpose of this study is to examine nature’s impact on Greek immigrants’
health and whether moving to Sweden has improved their physical and mental
wellbeing. Having previous research in mind a set of questions i.e. the respondents’
interaction with nature and their green influence, distance to a from natural setting
preserves and water, view from the window as well as prior and current physical and
mental state were formulated so that a comparison could be made between the quality of
their life in Greece to their present life in Sweden and if the relocation from one
environment to another greener one had a statistical significance:

1
European Environment Agency
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 • Has the overall mental and physical wellbeing of the Greek immigrants improved
upon moving to Sweden as a result of living in a greener environment?
• Is there a correlation between the natural environment and the respondents overall
mental and physical wellbeing?
• Does limited contact with nature impact physical and mental wellbeing?

3. BACKGROUND
The global economic crisis of 2008 soon spread to Greece in 2009 resulting in a €45bn
bailout loan from the International Monetary Fund in 2010 along with three economic
adjustment bail out programmes from Eurozone. The austerity measures imposed on the
Greek people lead to unemployment, insecure work conditions, mortality, suicide, and
decline in mental and physical health (Mertzanidi, 2017:9-10). Lack of basic needs i.e
work, food, and lack of health care forced once again a new wave of immigration abroad.
According to surveys, out of 1.5 million Greeks emigrating abroad, 2,254 Greeks
immigrating to Sweden in 2012 whereas 11131 in 2019 (CSB, 2020). Having for the past
22 years worked with Greek immigrants to Sweden and prospective immigrants to
Sweden the idea of this study arose. Has the overall mental and physical wellbeing of the
Greek immigrants improved upon moving to Sweden as a result of living in a greener and
more sustainable environment providing a better quality of life? By applying the
environmental psychological theories about nature and its impact on man; “Biophilia,”
Kaplan & Kaplan’s “Attention restoration theory,” Roger Ulrich’s “Stress Reduction
Theory” and Maurice Merleau-Ponty’s “Phenomenology of Perception” philosophy
would there be any significant statistical findings on a quantitative study?

4. THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES
Extensive research concerning the positive effects of nature on humans and their mutual
interaction has been conducted based on theories related to wellness in a natural
environment.

4.2. BIOPHILIA
When answering the question: What is ”Biophilia?” the closest one comes from Edward
O. Wilson, "the innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes " (Wilson,
1984:1). The term biophilia which is defined as the love for life and hence the love of

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all living natural systems was first coined by the social psychologist Erich Fromm in an
attempt to describe the process in which human existence seeks the other living beings
or living systems of the Universe (1993:589-590). It further came into use in the 1980s
when Wilson, an American biologist-Harvard entomologist, realized the consequences
of alienation and thus pioneered a new school of thought that focused on the need to
bring people back into contact with nature. According to Wilson, humans, over the
centuries evolved into the wider context of their natural environment developing
responses to the surrounded natural stimuli (1984:94). Indeed, while our ancestors were
hunter-gatherers, and later cultivators, their homes were integrated into the natural
environment, human development was shaped by aesthetic interactions with nature and
the properties of various natural landscapes. In the dawn of the Industrial Revolution,
however, a shift to urbanization, construction, and isolation from nature led us to move
away from traditional agricultural practices and active interaction with the natural world
that accompanied them. As more and more people became integrated with the urban
way of life and technology, they became separated from their coexistence with nature in
their everyday life leading to a mental and physical disintegration (1984:20, 100).
Man seems to have a biological need to connect with nature on a physical, mental
and social level; a connection that affects personal well-being, productivity, and social
relationships. Simple things such as walking in a park, interacting with animals, or just
having a view of the green space of one’s home or workplace through the windows and
thus the act of applying biophilia can help transform an ordinary trivial space into a
stimulant and relaxing environment. Although the concept of biophilia is relatively easy
to understand and its effect may seem trivial, its neurological and physiological
backgrounds and environmental effects are vital. Millions of nerve channels in the brain
are connected to the autonomic nervous system, constituted of the sympathetic and the
parasympathetic system in the body. The sympathetic system stimulates the human body
when cognitive function is necessary while the parasympathetic system is used to relax
the body primarily for internal processes such as digestion. When the natural balance of
sympathetic and parasympathetic is aligned, the body is in the ideal state of homeostasis
whereas in chaotic and disturbing environments, the body's sympathetic system enters
into a triggered “fight-or flight” response. At the same time, the parasympathetic system
is suppressed, disturbing our physical balance resulting in energy leakage and mental
fatigue. This combination causes anxiety, frustration, irritability, and distraction. In
contrast, studies suggest that human interaction with nature leads to an increase in the

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activity of the parasympathetic system and thus enhanced body function and a decrease
in sympathetic activity i.e. reduced stress and irritability, and increased ability to
concentrate (Harvard, 2018).
According to Stephen R. Kellert: "the manifold ways in which human beings are
tied to the remainder of life are very poorly understood" (1993:54). Nevertheless,
despite the lack of understanding, there is a growing recognition that this need for
nature is linked not only to the material exploitation of the natural environment but also
to human emotional, cognitive, aesthetic and spiritual development (1993:35). In
extensive research conducted by Kellert the advantages of human interaction with
nature is divided in terms of the empirical typology of nine basic values of nature:

Extracted by: https://blogs.ntu.edu.sg/hp331-2012-celestine/theories-of-attitudes-and-

practices/practices/factors-contributing-to-pro-environmental-behaviors/

These values, hence, not only validates the biophilia hypothesis but also illustrates how
contact with nature is applied to a varied spheres of physical, emotional and spiritual
human development (Burls, 2007:29).
The belief that contact with nature, for example through the view of landscapes
containing vegetation, water and other natural features, improves stress and benefits to
people in general, including patients in health care settings, is evident from the earliest
times in the history of China, Greece and Persia. The first hospitals in Europe were

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located in monasteries, which usually included gardens to provide "relief to the sick"
(Velarde et al. 2007:200) compared to the modern increasingly technological designed
buildings. Since the early 1980s, psychologists have been studying the health effects of
contact with nature, while models that promote health in the field of ecology have led to
the recognition of the therapeutic role of nature developing strategies and concepts such
as "Healthy Cities," "Healthy Schools," Restorative Gardens,” and ”Green Recreational
Areas.” These attempts by governmental official recognises the need for the natural
environment for the human health and well-being, focusing primarily on the effect of
environmental degradation on health rather than the environmental deprivation (Nielsen
and Hansen 2007: 30,843-845). Over the last two decades there has been a shift of
attention and a growing recognition that humans are dependent on nature and this is not
just for their materialistic primary needs such as water, food and shelter but also for
emotional, psychological and spiritual needs (Frumkin, 2001:234-235).

4.3. ATTENTION RESTORATION THEORY

It is believed that man possesses two types of attention: voluntary and involuntary
(James, 2017:87-88). According to Stephen Kaplan, voluntary attention refers to a
directed attention which is used when a task requires intentional and continuous
attention (Herzog et al., 2003:159, 2017:88). In contrast, involuntary attention does not
require effort; it expresses itself spontaneous and at any time. Certain elements in the
environment around us, such as "strange things, moving things, wild animals, bright
things, etc." can attract this kind of attention (2017:260). Hence the stimuli affecting
involuntary and voluntary attention can be crucial for the cognitive mental well-being.
Based on the work of William James and Kaplan and Kaplan, attention fatigue is a
process that takes place when performing cognitive tasks requiring prolonged use of
directed attention and drastic suppression of irrelevant information (2017:5,203). When
a person's ability to maintain directed attention becomes overloaded, performance
decreases, and people therefore are subjected to increased levels of mental fatigue,
leaving them less able to cope with uncertainty and have a reduced ability to plan and
make plans (Korpela et al. 2001:575-576.)
Involuntary attention, on the other hand, is usually associated with contact with
nature in an ordinary natural environment and its ability to restore voluntary or directed
attention (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989:179). According to Kaplan and Kaplan, contact with
nature contributes to recovery from this process in four ways (1989:182-183). Firstly,

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natural environments provide opportunities for man to distance himself from ordinary
activities and thoughts "being away." It can be associated with easily accessible natural
environments within urban areas, as well as with more remote areas in the immediate
vicinity of the sea, mountains, lakes, streams, forests, meadows and other idyllic places
commonly used to "escape" from the noisy city life (Kaplan, 1995:176-170). Secondly,
"fascination" is automatically associated with aspects of nature, such as clouds, sunsets,
snow, and the movement of leaves in the wind, keeping one's attention effortlessly
while providing ample opportunities to allow the mind of rumination. Thirdly, the
feeling of "extension" of the natural environment offers a range or depth of experience
in which one immerses oneself in the green setting so that the mind is rested from other
worries (1995:174) Fourth, because humans have an innate affinity with nature, they
share “compatibility,” where natural environments are compatible with human desires,
and allow attention to rest. While non-natural experiences entail these four
characteristics, many studies have shown that contact with nature is the most common
and a more reliable source of experiences that aid in mental rehabilitation and that
involves all four characteristics simultaneously (1995:178-179).
An environment offering these four characteristics, or at least one or two, can
potentially trigger involuntary attention, allowing directed attention to rest and refresh.
(Kaplan 1995:170). As Korpela points out the remedial experience involving all four
factors working together to a relatively high degree over a given period could ultimately
lead to the acquisition of the ability to deal with difficult personal matters and self-
reflections over one's priorities in life (2001:395-396). In a field study in Zurich,
Switzerland the findings found that visits to forests and parks promoted recovery from
stress in 87% of respondents and led to a sense of balance in 40% percent of them
(Hansmann et al. 2007:222-223). This reinforces the theory that the ability to regain
directed attention leads to a contemplative state of mind, where people can achieve a
state of tranquillity or balance where they easily can ruminate and unfold their problems
(Francis and Cooper-Marcus 1991:65-66, 69).

4.4. THEORY OF STRESS REDUCTION

In the same philosophical stream of thought such as ART, Roger Ulrich’s Stress
reduction theory suggests that natural environments promote recovery from stress while
the urban structured environment tends to hinder the same process (Ulrich,
1981:201,222-223). The underlying mechanism for these beneficial effects is because

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natural environments do not require large amounts of information to be processed and
therefore the level of stress is reduced when a person spends time in such environments.
(Ulrich 1979:17,20). In the context of this theory, stress is defined as a set of
physiological responses to any condition that threatens well-being (Baum et al. 1985:1).
The body responds to threats through negative emotions, physiological indicators and
increased autonomic nerve stimulation (Ulrich 1983;105-106, Ulrich et al. 1991:209-
210). Fear, anger, sadness, and high blood pressure and heart rate are some of the many
emotions and indicators measured at the heart of the 10 stress response scale (Ulrich
1983:117-118).
Stress reduction theory argues that in the beginning of human existence the
healing effects of natural environments such as savannas and water areas helped relieve
stress and restore wasted energy levels and thus created a revolutionary benefit for
humans (Ulrich 1983:95-96, (Ulrich et al. 1991:202-203) Because humans evolved over
time in natural environments contrary to concreted urban ones, it is believed that
engagement with such green environments is still positive for modern man (Ulrich et al.
1991). Intense environments, such as cities, especially those with high levels of visual
complexity, noise pollution, intensity and traffic, can adversely affect people by
producing excessively high levels of stress and tiring psychological and physiological
stimulus when the cortisol stress substance in the brain is activated. Because
environments containing plants or other elements of nature tend to be lower in intensity
and less cluttered than many urban environments, they have comparatively positive
effects that reduce stress for humans (Ulrich and Parsons 1992:95, 99-100).
Self-regulation is a process that allows man to adapt to situations or environments
that are emotionally provoking using a plethora of mental, physical, social and
environmental strategies (Korpela, et al., 1992:249-250:). There are different views on
how self-regulation happens. According to Korpela, environmental and emotional self-
regulation strategies include the use of space and spatial influences. Studies conducted
indicated that positive emotional states can be achieved and enhanced during the time
spent in the natural environment, as well as during contact with nature. Findings have
also confirmed that physical activity in the natural environment greatly improves
positive emotions, self-esteem and behaviors (et al., 1992:256). Consequently, the
positive influence of nature further favours social exchanges and interactions that lead
to positive emotional states and behaviors. Thus, numerous environmental strategies i.e.
the use of natural spaces and therapeutic environments such as parks, trees, roads and

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natural water features that have been developed to change negative feelings into more
positive ones strongly validates the Stress reduction theory and its importance during
landscaping and restorative garden designs (Korpela et al. 2001:250).

4.5. PHENOMENOLOGY OF PERCEPTION

The impact and influence of nature and its abrupt disconnection on man has also been
discussed from a phenomenological approach by David Abram’s “Spell of the
Sensuous,” in which the author draws upon the works of the primary representatives
School of Phenomenology and Edmund Husserl's phenomenology and Maurice
Merleau-Ponty's Phenomenology of Perception. To Abram man no longer perceives or
actually feels his surroundings by touching the physical object by the sensory hand to
surmise it as palpable, physical, or perceptible but instead frown upon the animus
“primitive” tribes with its shaman acting as a liaison between human and non-humans
and hence keeping the ordinal hormonal balance between the human environment and
the spiritual world (Abram, 1997:22-23,9-11,61). The notion that land and soil is
perceived as inanimate in the modern digital world is fallacious and man shouldn’t
disregard its power as a vessel transmitting wisdom from its elements, and the attributed
sanctity or divinity in the trees, waters, and the earth man steps on. Upon changing the
use and dynamic of the soil and animals to their mass cultivation in agriculture in which
mathematical or scientific exploitation occurred resulted in a distinction between mind
and body (soul or spirit), the “subjective” everyday experiences as something “unreal”
(1997:32).
Abram essentially finds approval from the School of phenomenology, and the
works of Edmund Husserl and Maurice Merleau-Ponty to preclude the scientific logical
divergence. For Husserl rejected the ubiquity of science and logic at that time which
centered essentially on observation and rationale and inclined towards a more
phenomenological approach that the encounter is the root to all information a person
can acquire through intensive examination of its awareness and composition. One must
narrow or even eliminate the outer objectification and transpire into the essential vital
structures of awareness (1997:40-41). Merleau-Ponty extended the same line of thought
of Husserl and rejected the credulous authenticity within the well-known conviction
framework and focused on the body and his environment. There's an inner association
between the body and the world; not a semantic one but one active cohesion when
interacting with our immediate environment in the same manner as animals and or

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children at a pre-linguistic stage (1997:55-56). There is a connection and interaction
between the normal daily means to perceive the world. Contact with the world is
actually embodied and every reaction is a reaction to something. Unconscious,
instinctive functions seem to engage with the conscious deliberately (Merleau-Ponty,
2005,144). Science and logical thought is not disregarded in phenomenology but it
serves its purpose as a secondary expressive means built on the lived world. To wit,
science follows our experience and for it to be analyzed, the experience itself, the
perceived world. Experience is at the center of existence from where any intellect had
arisen. “All my knowledge of the world, even my scientific knowledge, is gained from
my own particular point of view, or from some experience of the world without which
the symbols of science would be meaningless,” says Merleau-Ponty (2005:ix). In other
words, man is not an infant or a primate mammal or a conscious as attributed by various
sciences but an existence overflowing with experience. Phenomenology is an attempt to
return to experience, direct contact with the world, so that man can experience it exactly
as it is given to him, "experience as it is." (2005:29). In order to find this contact with
the world, we are required to experience it in its entirety, in whatever particular way it is
reflected in each one. Merleau-Ponty calls us to reconnect with the experienced world,
against the objective, he calls us to "rediscover’’ the phenomena, the layer of living
experience through which the other and things are given to us first (2005:99). This
process of perception is not a passive recording of the environment but an active
occupation of the mind. The senses are not just available to the mind, but absolutely
necessary, the mind is constantly looking for stimuli, refusing to feel bored, a vital
process, such as procreation, respiration or development" (2005:12,19,43-44).
Perception is an active, necessary process, where man is not at the mercy of
stimuli that come unchanged from the objective world, he is not a mirror of reality but a
constructor of experience. Similarly, to Biophilia, a key point of phenomenological
thinking is the close relationship of man with the world. Man is not an external observer
but energetic beings in which the world is inside man surrendered to the world (2005:
73,81-83). From the human point of view, every thought and movement have a purpose:
an object of the world in which normal nerves carve a space that surrounds the body, a
lived space with a kinetic meaning. Learning arrangement of objects and the
composition of space in general, creating a kinetic habit or pattern in which man is in a
relationship of knowledge with objects in the immediate surroundings and
environment (2005:79-80,140-141).

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5. PREVIOUS RESEARCH
Research on the healing properties of viewing or being present in green settings i.e
forests, plants, restorative gardens has been conducted extensively over the years and
thus provided much of the literature in subsequent studies. One classic but
groundbreaking study was conducted at a Pennsylvania hospital during the period 1972-
1981 where recovery outcomes of patients undergoing cholecystectomy were studied to
determine whether the use of nature-view booths affected patients' recovery. Having
placed 23 post surgery patients in nature-view wards, their recovery time was
significantly reduced, they needed far fewer pain medications, and received fewer
negative feedback from nurses than from patients who had a wall facing their ward
window (Ulrich, 1984:420-421). Ulrich extended his research to investigate the
beneficial properties of green in a work setting. According to Ulrich and Parsons it was
proven that regardless of the social level of people, eye contact with plants reduces
stress, especially in cases of stress at work and during the daily engagement of people
with stressors that suffer from the intensity of cities (1992:102-102). A similar study in
Sweden on office workers who had a visual view of the green from their office window
found that these employees in question were less anxious than others who saw streets or
parking spaces (Lottrup et al, 2013:7-10). Furthermore, placing plants in the workplace
next to the computer screens reduced the absences of staff due to various diseases and
mainly absences due to flu and colds from 15% to 5% (1989:25-26). Work behaviour of
305 employees, each of whom had a different amount of green in their office in relation
to cases of reports by the employees themselves of dismissal from work due to illness
were examined. The results showed that the more plants there were in the offices, the
less employees were missing from their jobs. In addition, the results showed that the
plants helped to reduce complaints about fatigue, headaches and discomfort from nasal
cavity problems (Bringslimark, 2011:586-586).
Recent research at the University of Plymouth in the UK, has established a
correlation between the ability to view the natural landscape from the window of one's
home is associated with a reduced desire for alcohol, unhealthy food and smoking. As
researchers previously have established, contact with nature is associated with human
well-being. However, the fact that the same positive effect can only be achieved with a
view of a natural landscape adds a new dimension to pre-existing research. The present
study is the first to examine this idea, and it may have significant implications for both

Page | 14
public health and future environmental protection programs since these findings proves
the importance of investing and protecting natural resources in cities to maximize the
benefits that may arise for public health (Leanne et al. 2018:1). The participants
completed an online survey that explored the correlation between different forms of
exposure to nature, the existence of strong, impulsive desires for a range of substances,
and finally the experience of negative emotions or thoughts. Among other things, the
total "green" in the neighborhood of each participant was measured, the possibility of
visual contact of green spaces from his house, the access to a garden or park as well as
the frequency of visits to public parks (2018:2-3). The results showed that access to a
garden or a piece of greenery was associated with fewer and weaker tendencies of
impulsive desires, while the view of greenery from home (areas that include more than
25% green) provoked similar responses. The study also measured the physical activity
of the participants during the same period of evaluation of their strong desires. The
results showed that there was a decrease in impulsive desires regardless of the level of
physical activity. Cravings contribute to a range of self-destructive health behaviors
such as smoking, alcohol abuse and unhealthy eating and by opting for such lifestyle
may contribute critical health conditions i.e cancer, obesity, and diabetes. Therefore,
future research may shed light on how "green areas" can help one become more resilient
to problematic impulses and hence give the strength to cut ourselves off from harmful
behaviors in the future (2018:4-6).
Contact for two hours (120 minutes) a week with nature, through walks and outdoor
activities, helps significantly in maintaining a balanced physical health and mental well-
being suggests findings of the University of Exeter School of Medicine. The novelty is
that for the first time a study has not merely established that nature is beneficial but
answered the question exactly how much contact is enough. Researchers, led by Dr.
Matthew White of the University of Exeter studied data of 19,800 adults, analyzing how
much time they spent during the week in the natural environment (not in their home
garden) and how this duration was related to their state of health and psychological
state. It was found that 120 minutes is the ideal time for contact with nature, mainly
with a walk no matter how large the space (park, grove, mountain, forest, beach etc) and
regardless of gender, age, income, occupation and whether someone had prior chronic
health problems. Furthermore, it did not matter if one spends these two hours a week
gathered in a single excursion i.e on a Sunday or if the two hours session is split into
shorter intervals spread over days. There was no significant relevance whether a nature

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reserve is near or far from one's home as long as one leaves their home and even sits
outside on a bench (White et al, 2019:1, 7-8). A mere simple walk in nature contributes
to stress reduction and lost energy recovery. More specifically, the mental health of
people trying to overcome a very difficult situation, such as the death of a loved one, a
dismissal or a separation, can be significantly improved by a little fresh air and greenery
(Barton & Pretty, 2010:3949-3950). 40-minute group walks with over 70,000
attendance annually in the “Walking for Health” initiative validated the findings that
participants who had recently experienced a stressful event i.e serious illness or the
death of a loved one were in fact the ones who benefited most from nature walks
(Walking for Health, 2013:13-15).
The lack of a green environment is detrimental for children and their subsequent
adult life on account of the substantial risk of developing mental disorders later in life,
according to recent findings in Denmark. By mapping the green spaces in children’s
homes via satellite data and correlating the gathered data with the risk of developing 16
different mental disorders after adulthood statistical significance was discovered.
Children growing up in the green had an average of 55% lower risk of developing a
mental disorder later in life, even if other risk factors were considered (socioeconomic
status, family history of mental health) (Engemann et al, 2019:1-3). On the other hand,
according to the World Health Organization, more than 450 million people suffer from a
mental disorder, a number that is projected to increase in the future due to
environmental factors such as frequent noise pollution of airports or expressways, air
pollution, infections, and poverty (Who, 2013:8,25-27). The best solution to facilitate
children and their cognitive development is to have access to significantly green
surroundings which constitute social cohesion and increased physical activity
opportunities (2013:40-43).
A survey conducted in 2015 recorded a reduction in crime in areas of the city
Youngstown, Ohio adjacent to new green spaces. The previous deindustrialization had
left the area with huge permits and abandoned land; however a program created by the
municipal authority utilized these plots; cleaning them up, fenced them, and gave a
small amount to local communities to allocate as they wished (Kondo et al, 2016:3283).
In fact, it seems that the different types of green spaces that were created also had
different effects on crime. For instance, cutting uncontrolled vegetation provides better
visibility, which prevents offenders from hiding or stealing loot and other objects while
the gardens created and cared for by the residents enhance the sense of community

Page | 16
among them consequently preventing crimes of passion (2016:3287-3287). Though
further research is in order, overall these findings suggest that these well-maintained
neighborhood parks encourage residents to spend more time there, creating an informal
surveillance system and hence prevents crime (2016:3292-3293). Similarly, in
Philadelphia, officials decide to turn some sidewalks into small green spaces with the
primary goal of retaining rainwater and dealing with sewer flooding leading to
unexpected impact on crime in the city (Kondo et al, 2015:e115). A comparative study
of various parts of the city including areas with and without gardens established that
drug possession and trafficking fell by 18 to 27% in areas around green spaces despite
the fact that during the period of the survey drug-related offenses increased by 65% in
the city. "Problematic" parts of the city may have been selected for the interventions,
with intense delinquency, but the presence of the municipal authority in them for the
maintenance of the gardens seems to have acted as a deterrent (2015:e118-119). Last, a
third study concerning the private gardens of 1,000 homes in Baltimore showed that in
areas around well-preserved gardens, lower crime rates were recorded than in areas
where gardens and backyards show signs of abandonment. Households that have the
ability to maintain a well-kept garden are likely to have a higher economic standard, as
do the neighborhoods that surround them, but the impact of a well-kept green space is
undeniable (Troy et al, 2015:82-86).
When researching the correlation between nature and physical and mental wellbeing
scientists have evaluated various biomarkers of stress and heart disease in blood and
urine samples which revealed that residing in areas with more green leads to less stress,
healthier blood vessels and therefore a lower risk of heart attack (Yeager et al, 2018:2-
3). The extent of green in residential areas compared to residents of less green areas has
proven that residents of greener neighborhoods have lower levels of epinephrine, a
stress indicator, in urine as well as lower concentration of oxidative stress indicator F2-
isoprostane. In addition, people living in greener areas appear to have a greater ability to
maintain healthy blood vessels than those living in areas without much greenery
(2018:5). Though many of the residents are on average 51 years old, overweight with
high blood pressure or high cholesterol and living in areas with limited green space the
results remain unchanged when taking into account other factors that may affect the risk
of cardiovascular disease, such as age, gender, ethnicity, smoking, statin use, poverty
and air pollution (2018:7-10).

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 Japanese researchers since the mid-90s, in a series of scientific studies have also
confirmed the many benefits of nature i.e stimulation of the function in the immune
system, lowering blood pressure, and the production of hormones stress (adrenal
cortisol, vasopressin) (Wen et al, 2019:2-4). Inhaling the forest’s volatile essential oils
that have antimicrobial property also improve the quality of sleep and speed up
epithelialization after an illness. “Shinrin-Yoku,''2 experiments performed on 87 non-
insulin-dependent diabetics over a six-year period resulted in a blood glucose levels
dropped by an average of 179 to 109 mg after walking 3-6 km in the forest. Other
physical activities were also monitored to validate the effect of the forest environment.
Compared to this form of exercise, which effectively lowered glucose levels by 21.2%,
"swimming in the woods'' lowered blood glucose to a staggering 39 which effectively
reduced glucose levels by 7%. (Ohtsuka, 1998:125-126). Consequently, it seems that
indeed human hormonal secretions and autonomic nerve functions stabilize as we inhale
organ compounds called phytoncides and compounds secreted from the forest evidently
have huge health benefits that are difficult to reap in the urban and structured
environment inhabited today (2019:16-18). Furthermore, soil containing the bacterium
Mycobacterium vaccae has proven to affect neurons and thus provide the same effects
as antidepressants. Serotonin deficiency has been linked to depression, anxiety,
obsessive-compulsive disorder and bipolar disorder and the bacterium seems to activate
the cells of the immune system releasing chemicals called cytokines, acting as receptors
for the sensory nerves to increase their activity (Lowry, 2021:14-15, 18-19). Research
suggests that the sudden increase in asthma and allergy cases over the last century is
due, unexpectedly, to the fact that people live in very clean environments and have less
regular exposure to harmless microorganisms such as bacteria in the soil, halting our
immune system to ignore benign molecules such as pollen (Umetsu, 2012:1). Early
exposure of children to dust and bugs develops immune cells, later in life, and that there
is indeed a disturbance in the body's natural bacterial flora when non-exposed to germs
leading to T cell hyperactivity which is an asthma contributor (2012:1-2). In contrast the
power of the soil and its healing properties are attributed to the concentrated energy in
the ground transferred to the body when walking barefoot according to Dr. James
Oschman. The act of walking barefoot “Grounding,” is that the earth is essentially a
huge body which is negatively charged. This charge theoretically comes from electrons

2
Shinrin-Yoku - forest bathing, the ancient Japanese practice of rehabilitation walks in the natural
environment most often in forests
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and is a provider of antioxidants that contribute to the proper functioning of the human
body (Oschman, 2015:7-8, 14-16). As little as 20 minutes on the ground has indicated
lower levels of urea in the blood as well as increased protein metabolism creating a
better balance of nitrogen in the body. Hence, it is no coincidence that many athletes
choose to run barefoot in some part of their training Symptoms of an infection from
injury i.e. redness, swelling, pain, loss of function and more can quickly be cured by
grounding since the earth’s surface contact with the body creates a small antioxidant
environment which simultaneously enhances many of the internal functions of the body
as well as normalizing daily cortisol rate and its improvement in sleep patterns due to
the stress hormones effect on the body’s natural heart rate (Oschman et al, 2015:84-85).
Chevalier et al also concluded that the electric fields of the soil helped fight
inflammation and pain, improved blood flow and reduced blood viscosity, reduced
stress, improved sleep, and enhanced and accelerated wound healing (2015:93-94).

6. RESEARCH DESIGN, METHODS AND ETHICS

The aim and purpose of this study is to examine nature’s impact on Greek immigrants’
health and whether moving to Sweden had improved their physical and mental
wellbeing.

6.2. RESEARCH DESIGN

The questionnaire was over a 4-month period in spring 2020. Eighty-one randomly
chosen people who lived in Greece but now live in Sweden participated. 49.38% of the
sample are men, 45.68% are women while 4.94% identified as LGBTQ ranging from
ages 17 to 65 with most people being in the age category 26-35 (55.56%) and 36-50
(33.33%). The questionnaire was uploaded to the open source online statistical survey
web application” LimeSurvey'' which enables users through a paid web interface to
develop and publish on-line surveys, collect the responses, and finally create statistics
extracted by the findings. The respondents were asked for their email so they could
receive the survey link and personal participation code.
During the study, the Wilcoxon test was implemented to evaluate whether the
hypothesis stating that nature as a factor and changing their living environment had a
significant effect on some aspects of the respondents’ life. The Wilcoxon test is a
nonparametric hypothesis testing used to spot significant differences between paired
observations, or two related samples. It is used as an alternative of t-test when it cannot

Page | 19
be assumed that the data are normally distributed. The null hypothesis suggests there is
no significant difference while the alternative hypothesis suggests that there is.
(https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wilcoxon-test.asp).
In the final part of the data analysis, a logistic model was used to evaluate the
effect of some parameters over the main questions raised in the survey. Logistic
regression, much like linear regression, finds an equation that best describes the binary
dependent parameter using multiple variables. In order to apply this method, the
dependent variable was transformed in order to have two values, indicating “Bad/Good”
(0/1 values) of whether something has gotten better or worse after moving to Sweden.
Then, all variables were fitted in the model, using logit regression in the statistical
program SPSS and hence the statistically significant find (Statistical Solutions, 2020).

6.3. QUALITATIVE RESEARCH METHOD

There are many reasons for why a quantitative questionnaire was used instead of a
qualitative questionnaire in this study. When conducting a quantitative survey valuable
time is saved for the actual research and under proper direction the respondents can
answer all the questions. Hence, it is obvious that all the questions in the questionnaire
possess a common meaning and thus the respondents should receive the same meaning
from the given questions (Bechhofer & Paterson, 2000:75). This fact assists the
researcher to extract the results from the direction itself.
Further, there are also some precautions to be considered when applying this type of
data collection. The most imperative is the impact of the respondents’ psychological
consciousness that underlines all the answers, which means that the researcher must
interpret the answers carefully and recognize theories within the social and
psychological processes involved in answering questions (Bechhofer & Paterson,
2000:90) since as previously mentioned, an array of factors affect the participant’s
responses and thus the analysis of the final findings.
Regarding this study the questionnaires were anonymous so as the respondents
would answer the questions as objectively as possible, drop with the most unbiased
neutrality and also not be influenced or swayed by the fear of having their answers
revealed publicly. They were given the possibility that should they want access to their
answers and the results they could by applying the personal respondent code given to
them when signing up with their emails on the survey platform. Through this process
we ensured that we would have as objective answers as possible, without any deception

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of the participants' side in the research, having come to a mutual agreement with them
that they indeed wish to participate in it. The questionnaires were individually answered
by each participant, so that the absolute confidentiality of the answers was ensured and
also received the most objective responses without influencing each other. That is why a
qualitative survey was deemed the most appropriate method of gathering valid data to
assist in investigating the current findings and lead to a conclusion of the study.
Finally, there was a responsibility and direct communication with respondents so
that they could answer any questions related to the nature of the questions in the
questionnaire when they arose. Of course, the respondents’ participation in the study
was voluntary and, in this way, their consensual participation was corroborated
(Bechhofer & Paterson, 2000:172).

6.4. LITERARY REVIEW

During this study, a variety of bibliographic previous research and theories were
collected personally and under the guidelines of my supervisor in order to compose its
objectives and research hypothesis. The primary theories, Biophilia, Attention
Restorative Theory, Stress Reduction Theory, and Phenomenology of Perception helped
outline the layout and formed the basis of the present investigation paving the way for
further research others had conducted on this given topic. In the next stage, its aims and
objectives were determined toward applying research and outlining the key questions
that needed to be addressed and answered. Then the way of collecting the necessary
information was determined in order to address these questions, the interest rate of the
research and the persons who constituted the sample were identified.
The relevant pre-existing bibliography focused primarily on respondents in North
America, the Uk, Asia, and Northern Europe and studies performed on a sampling of
participants investigating the impacts of the natural environment in man and his mental
and physical state. The main avant-garde of this research, however was that for the first
time statistical analysis was used to interpret qualitative data, which come from a
questionnaire that collects trend data and preferences when trying to categorize
individuals relocating to Sweden and highlighting the beneficial effects on their mental
and physical well-being in a further green natural surroundings.

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6.5. ETHICS
It is imperative to point out the ethics of this study since a researcher should bear in
mind whether the results of the research will affect the participants and thus act
throughout the research in a way that maintains the dignity of the participants, as human
beings (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:56). This constitutes ethical conduct as ethics
is defined as sensitivity to other individuals' rights. By setting moral boundaries in our
choices, we can reach the truth. According to this ethic, while the truth is good, respect
for human dignity is better, even if, in the most extreme cases, respect for human nature
leaves an ignorance of human nature (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:56). According
to the theory of research ethics, the researcher must follow the following steps:
The initial stage of the research project is the access of the institution or
organization where the research is to be conducted, and acceptance by those whose
permission becomes necessary before the start of the research (Cohen, Manion &
Morrison, 2000:53). At this point. the researcher must present the research topic and
explain its aims and purposes. What is of utmost importance is to display its ethical side
so that the respondent can comprehend the intentions of the researcher and the
importance of the study in order for him to gain access. Researchers cannot expect
access to a kindergarten, school, college or factory as their mere right. They must first
prove that they are worthy, both as researchers and as human beings to conduct their
work research in these places. (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:53).
As previously mentioned, the matter of research ethics is extremely complex
steaming from numerous sources of intensity. First, there is the tension between two
sets of correlated values organized by society: the belief in the value of free scientific
research to achieve truth and knowledge and a belief in the dignity of individuals and
their right to follow their thoughts. (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:58). In other
words, there seems to be two concepts that need to be considered. The first is the
freedom of scientific research aiming towards genuine knowledge and the second for
the right to human dignity. The second source of tension in this case is the one produced
by the prevalent by competing authoritarian and relativistic positions. The authoritarian
view is clear in their view that researchers need to set principles to guide their research
determined by what should and should not be done. (Cohen, Manion & Morrison,
2000:58). This means that there must be a consistent guide where researchers and their
steps adhere to.

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 In research ethics it is favourable that the researcher warns participants about the
possibility of failure of the research and adopt regardless of the results a positive
attitude towards their participation (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:59). The sense of
failure can be avoided if the researchers are willing to spend some time later to thank
people for their participation, answer questions, reassure them and generally talk to
them for a moment (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:59).
A fundamental ethical dilemma of researchers is the notion of the non-existent
absolute correct or incorrect answer. Whichever proposal is favoured, or how the
balance between the researcher and the participant was disturbed depends to a large
extent on the researchers’ personal background, experiences, and values (Cohen,
Manion & Morrison, 2000:60). Thus, dilemmas may exist but all of them can become
balanced if the researcher examines them, through his experience and his spiritual and
social background.
Imperative for the ethics of research is also the concept of privacy. In the context
of research, therefore, a "right to privacy" can easily be violated during an investigation
or denied upon completion. The respondent can at any time be vulnerable and therefore
caution is advised (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:60). Consequently. everyone has
the right to privacy, and every researcher must respect it. The essence of anonymity is
that the information provided by the participants in each case should not have their
identity revealed. A participant or object is considered anonymous when the researcher
or other external person not involved with the research procedure cannot recognize the
participant or object from the information provided. If this is achieved then it does
protect a participant's privacy, no matter how personal or sensitive the information is
(Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:61). In the same manner another constituent
prevalent in the ethics of research is betrayal. In this sense, betrayal denotes the
publicity of the data, in a way that disrupts the participants and creates negative
emotions, such as nervousness. In other words, it is the breach of trust which is often a
consequence of professional gain and advancement from the researcher’s side (Cohen,
Manion & Morrison, 2000:63).
The second way to protect a participant’s right to privacy is through the promise
of confidentiality. This means that although researchers know who provided the
information or were able to identify participants from the information provided, they
can in no way make the connection known to the public so as to protect the boundaries
surrounding privacy (Cohen, Manion & Morrison, 2000:63).

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7. FINDINGS
This paper examines nature’s impact on the mental and physical wellbeing on Greek
immigrants to Sweden. Over a 4-month-period of Spring 2020 the questionnaire was
completed by a sample of 81 people, who previously lived in Greece and now live in
Sweden. 49.38% of the sample are men, 45.68% are women while 4.94% identified as
LGBTQ. The sample includes a range of ages from 17 to 65 years with most people being
in the age category 26-35 (55.56%) and 36-50 (33.33%). The table below indicates the
age range of the respondents in detail.
Age Percentage (%)
Under 16 years old 0.00
17-25 7.41
26-35 55.56
36-50 33.33
51-65 3.70
Over 65 years old 0.00

The majority of the respondents have lived in Sweden for more than 3 years
(66.67%) while the rest live there for up to two years. When asked about the reasons they
decided to move to Sweden, the main reason was to reside in a more humane environment
and living conditions (30.86%). This was followed by other factors i.e., work (24.69%),
financial factors (18.52%), studies (11.11%), a love relationship (9.88%), or
recommendations from friends and old colleagues (4.93%).

G01Q07: What was the reason for choosing to move to Sweden?

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 The largest percentage consists of participants with one or more degrees (82.72%)
while the rest 16.05% possess a high school diploma. Only 1.23% report they did not
complete high school.

G01Q03: What is your highest level of education?

Regarding their vocational rehabilitation, the biggest difference is found between

the unemployed and the fully employed, with a percentage of 16.05% declaring
themselves unemployed in Greece, compared to 2.47% in Sweden. Similarly, 48.15%
stated that they had a full-time job in Greece while in Sweden 67.90% stated that they
now have a full-time job. As shown by the x2 audit, there is a statistically significant
difference (p = 0.001 at a significance level of 95%) in the figures of unemployment and
full employment between Greece and Sweden. The percentages in other categories (ie
part-time workers, pupils-students, housewives, etc.) are of a similar size and there is no
significant difference between the two countries. This significant difference between the
number of unemployed from one country to another is expected as Greece has
experienced and been objected to a long-term economic crisis, with high unemployment
rates in its population, in contrast to Sweden which has had a much stable economy.

G01Q05: How would you describe your former employment status

in Greece?

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 G01Q04: How would you describe your current employment status
in Sweden?

Most of the respondents are married (35.80%) or cohabiting (32.10%) closely

followed by them who are single (29.62%). Two people did not want to answer about
their marital status (2.47%). The majority of them do not have children (58.02%), while
the rest have one to four children.

G01Q08: What is your marital status?

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 The Wilcoxon test shows there is indeed a statistically significant increase in
births since they went to Sweden, with p <0.001 at a significance level of 95%. More
specifically, there is a small increase from 1.25 children on average in Greece to 1.48
children on average in Sweden.

G01Q10: How many children did you have while living in Greece?

Of the 81 people interviewed, 52 said they had one or more children after moving to
Sweden. The main reason for the increase in births is the personal desire of the respondent
(42.3%) closely followed by better working conditions (36.54%) and better financial
conditions (34.61%). Finally, a smaller percentage of 21.15% was motivated by the desire
to raise a family or adding an extra brother or sister to the existing children in the
household. It is obvious that extremely high percentage of the responses are factors whose
non-existence also causes uncertainty. Combined with the larger number of employees,
one can assume that the respondents feel more secure to move on to the next step of their

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lives in a foreign country. The fact that most of them have been living in Sweden for
several years may obviously indicate their decision to stay in the country permanently
and raise a family there.

G01Q11: If you had additional children after moving to Sweden,

what was the reason?

The first part of the research deals with living conditions in Sweden compared to
those in Greece. More specifically, it studied whether the respondent’s answers indicate
if there is a statistically significant difference in terms of the existence of cement or nature
around their home, their workplace, the area where they live and in general the feeling of
security they feel in the place where they lived and now live.
Starting from the housing and living conditions, they were asked if they viewed
more cement or green from the windows of their house. The answers were given using a
scale from 1 to 7, with 1 indicating "mainly cement" and 7 "mainly green". There is a big
difference between life in the two countries, which is also statistically significant (p
<0.001 at 95% significance level), with the view from the windows in Greece showing
an average value of 3 and the view from the windows in Sweden an average value of 6,
based on the scale used.

G01Q29: In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your

main living space in your home (bedroom, living room, kitchen,
etc) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or mostly of natural
elements like trees, grass, etc?

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 G01Q40: In Sweden, from the main living spaces in your home
(kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc) is the view outside the
window(s) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or mostly of natural
elements like trees, grass, etc?

The same goes for the workplace. But even when asked to describe the area in
which they lived in Greece and that living in Sweden (scale 1: 7, where 1: "mainly
cement" and 7: "mostly green") it appears that the score on average for Sweden is 6, which

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means that green prevails, while for Greece it is 3, which means that there is more cement
than green. This difference is statistically significant (p <0.001) at 95% significance level.

G01Q33: Please describe your neighbourhood/the area where you

lived in Greece?

G01Q43: Please describe your neighbourhood/the area where you

live in Sweden. (1 = mostly concrete, buildings, etc, 7 = mostly
trees, grass, etc)?

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 Following this round of questions, they were asked to answer whether they agree
with the sentence "In Greece, there was a park or nature preserve in your local area that
was easily accessible". The same question was asked of Sweden. The choices ranged from
1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). The Wilcoxon test shows a statistically
significant difference for the two countries (p <0.001 for a significance level of 95%).
Specifically, the average level that the sample agrees with this phrase for Greece is 4,
while for Sweden the corresponding average level is 6.

G01Q35: In Greece, was there a park or nature preserve in your

local area that was easily accessible?

G01Q45: There is a park or nature preserve in your local area that

is easily accessible?

In addition, when asked if they perceive that in their neighbourhood there are pleasant
natural elements, both for Greece and for Sweden, and using the same scale, the same
results were obtained as in the previous question.
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 G01Q36: In Greece, were there pleasant natural features in
your local area?

G01Q46: Are there pleasant natural features in your local

area?

Questions asked about the existence of a garden and a green element in the yard
of houses in both Greece and Sweden showed that 38.27% of the sample had a garden in
Greece, while in Sweden this percentage is significantly higher and reaches 83.95%. It is
noted that a percentage of 3.70% chose not to answer the question about Sweden.

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 G01Q31: In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with
trees, grass, a garden or other natural “green” elements (like
bushes)?

G01Q41: In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with

trees, grass, a garden or other natural “green” elements (like
bushes)?

Similarly, when asked if there is a liquid element in their yards, in Greece only 22.22%
had something like this, while in Sweden 56.79% have a yard with some kind of liquid
element such as a lake, river, stream, etc. It is also noted that in this Question A 7.41%
chose not to answer about their home in Sweden. These differences between the green

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and the liquid element for life in the two countries appear to be statistically significant (p
<0.001) at a significance level of 95%.

G01Q32: In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with a

pond, lake, stream or other natural “blue” elements
(like a river)?

G01Q42: In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with a

pond, lake, stream or other natural “blue”
elements (like a river)?

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 Also of interest is the question of the time it takes in Greece and Sweden to get to
a park near their home. The results show that in Sweden it takes an average of six to 10
minutes to reach a park, while in Greece it takes an average of 11-20 minutes. This
difference is statistically significant (p <0.001) at 95% significance level. This difference
is expected and is in agreement with the above results according to which it was found
that there are more intense natural elements in Sweden than in Greece.

G01Q37: In Greece, how long would it take to get from your home
to the nearest parks or nature reserves?

G01Q47: How long would it take to get from your home to the
nearest parks or nature reserves?

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 The questionnaire also studied the time spent outside the home during a typical
week, both in Greece and in Sweden. According to the sample, in Sweden they spend an
average of five to seven hours away from home during the week, while in Greece they
spend an average of three to five hours during the week. This result, however, is not
statistically significant (p = 0.199 at 95% significance level) and therefore cannot be
considered in the conclusion.

G01Q38: In Greece, how much time do you spend outdoors during

an average week?

G01Q48: About how much time do you spend outdoors during an

average week?

In closing this section, it is important to explore the sense of security they feel
when they are away from home in both countries. Similar questions were asked about the
sense of security in Greece respectively Sweden. Participants responded using a scale of

Page | 36
1 to 7, with 1 indicating "strongly disagree" and 7 indicating "strongly agree". According
to the statistical test, there is a statistically significant difference (p <0.001 at 95%
significance level) between this belief in life in the two countries. More specifically, for
life in Sweden the average response indicates that it agrees with this proposal in grade 6,
while for Greece in grade 4. It appears that there is an obvious difference in the sense of
security in these two countries.

G01Q39: Did you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you
lived in Greece?

G01Q49: Do you feel safe being outdoors in the place where

you live?

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 Moving on to the section on mental and physical health, participants answered a
series of questions about their mood and health in Sweden compared to when they lived
in Greece.
Initially they were asked to rate using a scale 1 to 7, their state of health while
living in Greece, and now living in Sweden. Answering 1 corresponds to "very poor
health", while 7 corresponds to "excellent health". In this case, too, a statistically
significant difference was observed in the sample (p <0.001 at a significance level of
95%) as the average value of his health moved from 5 in Greece to 6 in Sweden. It is also
interesting that the respondents scored answers in all categories during their stay in
Greece, with the maximum choice being level 5 (24.69%) and 6 (23.46%), while for their
health they now score mainly level 6 (37.04%) and levels 5 and 7. The difference between
the two cases is small, but significant.

G01Q12: In general, how would you rate your health when living
in Greece?

G01Q24: How would you rate your health currently?

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Confirming the above result, when asked if they feel physically and mentally healthy
now, compared to when they lived in Greece, there is a statistically significant difference
(p <0.001) with an average value of 4 living in Greece and 6 compared to living in
Sweden. It is noteworthy that during their life in Greece, they noted that they were healthy
in grade 5, but they felt they were less healthy.

G01Q16: Did you feel physically and mentally healthy when

living in Greece?

G01Q28; Do you feel physically and mentally healthy?

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 More specifically, they were asked about the nature of the health problems that
they thought they had and 49.38% stated that their problem was of a psychological nature,
while 50.62% stated that they had a physical problem.

G01Q19: What did your ailments relate to?

When asked if their problem improved after moving to Sweden, 87.65% said they had
indeed improved, while 12.35% did not see any change. Of those who saw improvement,
29.58% even stated that their health problem disappeared completely. In this question,
there were many people who did not want to answer, and therefore the above number

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cannot be considered representative of the sample or taken into account in the control of
the case.

G01Q20: Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments improved?

G01Q23: Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments disappeared?

Participants were asked after the previous question if they received any medical
help for the problem, they thought they had and only 37 answers were received, as 44
participants chose not to answer. Of the 37 respondents, it appears that almost half (18
people, 48.6%) sought medical help.

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 G01Q17 Did you seek medical assistance?

Of these 18 people, 11 (64.7%) stated they were given some medication for the
problem they reported, while the rest did not. One person did not want to answer.
However, due to the fact that many did not answer, it is not possible to take this parameter
into account when presenting the final conclusions, as the sample will not be
representative.

G01Q18: Were you prescribed medication?

As for whether they felt happy while living in Greece and now living in Sweden,
they were asked to answer again a question on a scale of 1 to 7, where 1 corresponds to
"strongly disagree" and 7 to "strongly agree". Using the Wilcoxon test, for a 95%

Page | 42
significance level, it appears that there is a statistically significant difference (p <0.001)
between the joy felt by the sample in the two countries. More specifically, for the scale
used the average value of joy they felt in Greece was 4 and now in Sweden it is 6.

G01Q14: Did you feel happy and/or content most of the time when
living in Greece?

G01Q26: Do you feel happy and/or content most of the time?

Similarly, there is a statistically significant (p <0.001 at 95% significance level)

difference in how much they take care of themselves in Sweden, in relation to how long
they lived in Greece.

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8. ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION
Having studied all the parameters comparatively for life in Greece and life in Sweden,
there is indeed an improvement in the mood and health of the sample. Once this
improvement has been demonstrated, it is now possible to consider whether the greener
environment in Sweden is responsible for improving the health and well-being of people
moving there. For this reason, the following three variables will be considered: how
healthy they are, how healthy they feel, how happy they feel. These variables will be
considered in relation to work, time spent in Sweden, marital status and of course the
parameters that focus on the part of the natural environment at home and in their
neighbourhood in Sweden.
The first variable considered is their health. The logarithmic regression model
indicates that it appears that none of the parameters is statistically significant. According
to the research, there has been a statistically significant improvement in their health
compared to when they lived in Greece, but there is insufficient evidence to support that
some of the parameters examined are responsible for this. There is a link between green
natural settings i.e grass, soil, water contributing towards better overall physical health as
indicated by studies. However, without any means to measure cortisol levels for reduced
stress, decreased inflammation, blood pressure, and glucose, it is impossible to combine
the findings from the statistical data contrived from the respondents in this study and draw
an overall conclusion and perhaps discover a link between the clinical data in regards to
their improved health.
Continuing in the part of how happy they feel, it appears that a variable that plays
a statistically important role is their marital status (p = 0.002 at 95% significance level)
as well as good self-care (p = 0.019 at 95% significance level). Regarding the
environment around them, it appears that the existence of natural elements in the area
where they live play a statistically important role (p = 0.035 at a significance level of
95%). Afterall, EEA’s “JRC report on Environment and Health” ranks Greece second to
worst after Uruguay as having the least amount green areas compared to Sweden which
ranks first and can explain why the sample group feels better mentally (EEA, 2013:67-
68). The first two elements are expected then to affect a person's mood and can affect the
mood of someone regardless of the country in which he or she lives. As previous research
has shown, simply having easy access and abundant view of a naturally green
environment substantially affects the mental well-being by lowering the stress, less
voluntary attention as well as the lived perceived experience. The third element, however,

Page | 44
shows that the environment around them may not practically improve health, as shown
above, but it affects their psychology by making them happier. Drawing from Merleau-
Ponty’s Phenomenology of Perception theory and Wilson’s Biophilia theory, it seems
then that the respondent’s mental well-being may be due to the immediate interaction
between them and the green environment and how they perceive and sense it. The former
gap or void that were perhaps missing in a less natural environment: Greece, has now
altered residing in Sweden and hence feeling at home in a green natural habitat where
they as individuals are harmoniously part of an intertwined network incepting the water,
earth, and air.

Source: EEA, 2012J

Finally, if the effect on the mood of individuals has been seen, it is important to check
whether there is an effect of the environment on the sense of physical and mental health.
Regarding questionnaire inquiries, they were inductive in the process of finding the
respondents views and beliefs, being aware of the fact that the answers provided could
be what was wished for and thus easily provide wrong answers. On the other hand, the
respondents could have been honest about the answers and provide the most appropriate
answers. Being aware that questionnaires with a multitude of possible answers to obtain
relevant data without elaboration on a certain response had its shortfalls because of
Page | 45
restricting given answers. Still, conducting quantitative research as previous studies has
established provides answers from questionnaires that are prompt and in easier manner
obtained, relieving the participants of arduous thinking and hence quick generation of
variables. Therefore, the positive effects of the green environments on patients in
hospitals and other settings have been acknowledged by the previous research and
confirmed by the questionnaire in this study.
As has been established by Ulrich the importance of a green natural setting i.e
restorative gardens viewed from hospitals all have beneficial effects on the overall
mental and physical wellbeing of the patients’ post-surgery consequently the green
healing properties should not be ignored (Ulrich, 1984:420-421). Further, a statistically
important factor was professional status (p = 0.20 at 95% significance level), family
status (p = 0.12 at 95% significance level) and good self-care (p = 0.009 at 95%
significance level). Regarding the part of the environment around them, the presence of
green outside the window of their house (p = 0.048 at 95% significance level) and the
general sense of security they feel in the area where they live play a statistically
important part in improving the sense of health. According to Maas the percentage of
green natural surroundings contribute towards feeling safe residing in an urban vs a
rural area and how different groups within a given community feel less or more
vulnerable in a certain green space and the feelings it excerpts (Maas et al., 2009:6-8).
Hence, there is an improvement in both the mood and the health of the sample during its
relocation to Sweden. At the beginning of this research, the hypothesis was that the
environment of Sweden, being greener for example has a positive effect on the health of
people who moved there from Greece. This hypothesis is partly correct since as it
turned out the environment does not affect so much the health but the feeling of health
(physical and mental). It also affects how happy the people felt when relocating. The
reason why the Greek immigrants to Sweden described their own experiences of living
in the new environment as positive could, according to this questionnaire, could be
attributed to the easier access to the green areas which Sweden has in abundance. Thus,
the previous researches were in agreement on the correlations between greenery and
overall health; this research was only different in that it investigated how immigrant
Greeks felt in a much greener environment and that is a variable that has not been
extensively studied before. Prior studies focused on respondents and patients residing
mostly in their hometown middle class, and overall social and economic good standing
in contrast to participants in this study which were Greek immigrants relocating to

Page | 46
Sweden for improved financial stability and improved quality of life. With the influx of
migration from third world countries and war zones to more affluent Western countries
none of the previous studies have taken this variable in consideration. Instead it has
been excluded. In the case of Greece, one must take in regard that it is a country of
many contrasts. Some parts are green, others are not that green, but it has plenty of sea
and sunshine; still surprisingly Sweden was preferred country to reside in.
Consequently, one must include the economic factor whereby they are more financially
secure in Sweden than in Greece and therefore happier. Therefore, reservations
concerning their answers and the truthfulness of their choices must be taken into
account along with misgivings about the questionnaires; overall they might be good
indicators of what people feel. They display many variables but at least one can select
between those variables and narrow down for further research. To be objective in
science is very important. That is why this study needs to be open-ended in which
further research can be conducted and narrow down other variables. In general we
know that greenery has a positive effect as Ulrich, Kaplan and other researchers have
investigated and elaborated other causes and variables throughout similar and other
studies, so the next step in a similar manner could be to investigate the blue open sea or
sunshine against this variable. This questionnaire’s data obviously indicate the
preference of the Greeks towards Sweden’s green environment to feel better. It is
indicative that the participants were at unease for one of the related reasons but if the
Greeks immigrants had more money they might want to stay in their own country for a
plethora of other reasons such as being able to speak one’s own language and being
close to their family by which they would be feeling more positive about themselves.
Despite the research and its obtained results that the participants are comfortable in the
greenery of Sweden, one cannot pinpoint whether it is about economic security or
health or both and therefore it leaves room for further research. However, this study
could be used in the way that each inquiry could serve as a separate research question
by which a multitude of variables are generated, each of them being capable of
producing research on its own.
Obviously, factors such as work, marital status and self-care play a role, but it seems
that this feeling is also influenced by the fact that they are in an environment that makes
them feel safe, green and have the opportunity to enjoy nature even outside the window
of their home. As previous studies have shown in such US cities such as Baltimore and
Philadelphia, the more green in an area the less prevalent crime is while it bestows a

Page | 47
sense of community and consequently security (2015:82-86, 2015:e115, e118-119,
2016:3287-3287, 3292-3293) The Global Destination Sustainability Index ranked
Gothenburg, Sweden as the most sustainable city in the world along with other Swedish
cities being ranked high which may have impacted the sample group in this study (GDS,
2020). The existence of urban green sustainable spaces affects all aspects of life,
contributing towards improving the quality of life, thus contributing to the mental and
physical health of citizens of each city.
As it turns out, the improvement in health, which has been observed in relation to
Greece, cannot be interpreted with the parameters examined here and possibly another
factor is responsible that goes beyond the scope of this research and this question leaves
rooms for further longitudinal study over a long period of time to study the influence of
psychosomatic factors that were excluded from this study. In addition, it is possible for
people to say they are healthier, precisely because they feel physically and mentally
healthier. In a study conducted at Stanford University, researchers discovered that out of
19 participants in the study displayed lower levels of negative and repetitive thoughts
taking 90-minute walks in nature compared to the other 19 people who took 90-minute
walks in urban areas. Previous research has linked such thoughts (obsessive-compulsive
disorder) to an increased risk of developing depression and related illnesses (Bratman et
al. 2015:1-2). Similar studies, previously discussed, have established a correlation that
the mere fact of being in a green environment for as little as 20 minutes reinforces the
Stress Reduction Theory, that it has healing properties and provides a sense of relief.
Further, the natural setting reinforces man’s natural affinity to nature and in which he
escapes from the urban stony setting and is “fascinated” by the green setting with all its
sound, colour, and scents. In view of previous research, where multiple benefits from an
array of research on the influence of plants on the mental and physical wellness of
individuals as well as groups of people including the results which were obtained from
my questionnaire, it establishes that parallelisms can be drawn and research confirms
various previous qualitative and quantitative research. Each of these previous studies
had an extensive approach by taking the results reactant from a couple of variables or
maximally on two levels, constructing simple experiments and with the prospective
flaw that they did perhaps not take in regards the confounding variables. There are
many factors that could have endangered external and internal validity of this
quantitative research, something that I could not assess similarly to the former
conducted research which was investigating correlations rather than cause and effect

Page | 48
experiments. In short one cannot draw overall conclusions from these since their results
provided data on mutual relation between two variables or more and not, as previously
mentioned, cause and results. As established, it seems, that the sample group based on
the findings of all four theoretical perspectives: Biophilia, Attention Restorative Theory,
Stress Reduction Theory, and Phenomenology of Perception, despite the subtle
distinction of the state of their health may have responded influenced by how they felt
rather than by their objective state of health. A green setting after all contributes
towards an overall feeling of redress ramification and is beneficial for an overall mental
state.

9. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS

The tools implemented in this research were translated and structured for the purposes
of this research. The questionnaires, and consequently the scale as a form of
questionnaire, are close ended and leave no room for clarification and further
information. This has both positive and negative constituents. The positive constituents
is the undemanding processing of data when they come from many sources and their
content is relevant to the subject and leaves no room for derogation since they have
been created to investigate a specific question or hypothesis. On the other hand, the very
fact that tools are close ended questions leaves no room for clarification, which in some
cases is considered necessary. For example, the question "Upon moving to Sweden have
your ailments improved?" is clearly understood and the answers provided correspond to
the consensus. Combining them with other tools, for example, open-ended interviews
with a small sample of the respondents would give a deeper insight and understanding
of perceptions of the given sample group. Further, this specific question can be
considered a sensitive one since there is a social stigma in Greece to discuss ailments
and especially mental health and as a result the respondents may not have answered
honestly (Tzouvara & Papadopoulos, 2014:3-5). Another factor for the respondents who
did not follow up to the given question was merely due to the conformity bias and the
respondent’s desire to fit in to the consensus of the group. Therefore, instead of
answering genuinely there is likelihood that the respondents opt to leave out to answer
or conceal answer so as to remain pleasant and be more likeable in the eyes of the given
researcher (Padalia. 2014:8).

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10. FUTURE RESEARCH
The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the green environment
surrounding had an impact on the mental and physical health of the participants and not
the interpretation and reasons that led to the creation of ailments and mental disorders.
Given the limitations of this research, we can argue that the purpose for which it was
carried out was accomplished. However, this study as a starting point leaves room for
further research on PhD level where a team of researchers and physicians can along with
the necessary resources and tools i.e EEG: Measuring Electrical Activity in Brain and
Blood Pressure monitors carry out a thorough and extensive combined and qualitative
research beyond a 4-month time-period which limited this given study for further
development.

11. CONCLUSION
With the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, paving the way for modernization and
innovation, disconnecting man’s strong connection with nature has resulted in his
deterioration experiencing an increasing rise of poor physical and mental health because
of noise pollution, stress, and residing in urban cemented non sustainable environments.
Studies and a plethora of literature validates the positive correlation of even limited
exposure to such natural environments and the various indicators of human health. The
main message that emerges from the documented research along with the above
presented theories in this paper, confirms the hypothesis that contact with nature and
green spaces in general, improves mental health by reducing stress, boosting mood,
alleviating the intensity of depression, anger and fatigue, and increasing vitality and
well-being. Though the respondents expressed no improvement in their physical health,
a factor that needs further study in the future, it seems that more green spaces of any
kind than previously experienced significantly affected the health and well-being of the
population to a certain extent. This raises further questions and a need for additional
research of a more clinical nature to perhaps find definite answers. Even though the
questions were inductive, it was not our goal to show a positive towards the biased
inference, even though it might look like it. Indeed, the positive effects of the green
environments have been acknowledged by many researchers, for instance the hospitals
in the world painting their walls in green or viewing green as previously conducted
research by Ulrich. The reason why the Greek immigrants to Sweden described their

Page | 50
own experiences of living in the new environment as positive could, according to this
questionnaire, be attributed to the easier access to the green areas validated by research
conducted by official environmental organizations and authorities. The previous
research was clear on the correlation between greenery and overall health while this
research is only different and innovative because it investigates how Greeks feel in a
much greener environment. Greece as previously mentioned, is a country of many
contrasts; parts are greener than others including two other variables easily overlooked:
sea and sunshine. Still the respondents preferred Sweden as a permanent residence
because they feel more financial security; a variable worth considering for future
studies. Further, this study is a good indication of what people feel displaying a plethora
of variables that can be selected and narrowed down for further research.
The direct urban stimuli such as noise, thermal stress and air pollution further
contribute to the burden of mental and physical health of modern man and his adequacy
to grasp and process these stimuli manifesting in major public health problems such as
reduced productivity at work, increased absenteeism and poor social relationships;
challenging authorities to face an overall population with health problems and increased
spending on health care systems to alleviate these modern day indisposition. Walking
and other activities in forests and in urban and suburban green spaces are associated, in
particular, with positive mood, increased constant attention and cognitive function, with
reduced physiological stress i.e. heart rate, blood pressure, blood, and improvement of
normal functions mental and physical functions contributing to a stronger immune
system and a healthy cardiovascular system. Authorities and health personnel promoters
should strive towards integrating forests, urban and suburban groves into preventative
health systems and policies resulting in sparing future unwarranted treatment expenses.
By promoting mental well-being and relieving stress, boosting social cohesion,
encouraging exercise and activity, reducing exposure to air pollutants, noise and
excessive heat, they can contribute to reducing morbidity and mortality as well as vital
socio-political issues and public health issues for today and the future. Lastly, a
preventative holistic approach is recommended; ailments should not be treated as single
isolated conditions but, encompassing the biological, psychological, sociological and
spiritual dimensions and needs of the individual. The standard of facilities and services
in the urban cities is imperative for establishing humane accommodations for the
citizens but it should not obstruct and isolate man from his primary home: nature.

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Page | 59
APPENDIX I

Nature – Health Correlation Questionnaire

]
Nature – Health Correlation Questionnaire

Please fill in the blanks or place an X or check mark next to the word or phrase that best
matches your response.

1. How do you identify?

Male
Female
LGTBq
Other

2. What is your age?

Under 16
17-25
26-35
36-50
51-65
Over 65

3. What is your highest level of education?

Attended high school but did not finish
High School Diploma
Attended college but did not finish
Vocational/Technical degree or certificate
Associates Degree
Bachelor’s Degree
Master’s Degree
Doctorate Degree

4. How would you describe your current employment status in Sweden?

Unemployment
Disable
Employed – Full Time
Employed – Part Time
Looking for Employment
Student
Homemaker
Retired

5. How would you describe your former employment status in Greece?

Unemployment
Disable
Employed – Full Time
Employed – Part Time

Page | 60
 Looking for Employment
Student
Homemaker
Retired

6. How many years have you lived in Sweden?

0
1-2
3-4
5–6
More than 6

7. What was the reason for choosing to move to Sweden? Choose 3.

Feedback from friends
Feedback from former colleagues
Relocation for love
Studies
Employment
Economic Factors
Better environment and living conditions

8. What is your marital status?

Married
Widowed
Separated
Divorced
Living with Partner
Single
Prefer not to say

9. How many children are there in your family?

0
1-2
3-4
5–6
More than 6

10. How many children did you have while living in Greece?
0
1-2
3-4
5–6
More than 6

11. If you had additional children after moving to Sweden, what was the reason?
Choose 3:
Personal desire
Better economic stability
Better working conditions
Grow the family
Providing a sibling/s for child/children in the family

Page | 61
 All of the above
None of the above (Specify) __________________________________

12. In general, how would you rate your health when living in Greece?
(1 = very poor, 7 = excellent)

13. How was your health compared to other people in your age when living in
Greece?
(1 = much worse, 7 = much better)

14. Did you feel happy and/or content most of the time when living in Greece?
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

15. Did you take good care of yourself when living in Greece?
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

16. Did you feel physically and mentally healthy when living in Greece?
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

17. If less than 4, did you seek medical assistance?

Yes
No

18. If yes, where you prescribed medication?

Yes
No

19. What did your ailments relate to?

Mental condition/circumstance
Physical condition/circumstance

20. Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments improved?

Yes
No

21. If yes to what extent?

(1 = very poor, 7 = excellent)

22. If no to what extent?

(1 = very poor, 7 = excellent)

23. Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments disappeared?

Yes
No

24. How would you rate your health currently?

(1 = very poor, 7 = excellent)

25. How is your health compared to other people your age?

(1 = much worse, 7 = much better)

Page | 62
 26. Do you feel happy and/or content most of the time?
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

27. Do you take good care of yourself now?

(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

28. Do you feel physically and mentally healthy?

(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

NATURE EXPOSURE ITEMS:

29. In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your main living space in your
home (bedroom, living room, kitchen, etc) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or
mostly of natural elements like trees, grass, etc?
(1 = mostly concrete, buildings, etc, 7 = mostly trees, grass, etc)

30. In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your office mostly of natural
elements like trees, grass, etc?
(1 = mostly concrete, buildings, etc, 7 = mostly trees, grass, etc)

31. In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with trees, grass, a garden or
other natural “green” elements (like bushes)?
(Yes/No)

32. In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with a pond, lake, stream or
other natural “blue” elements (like a river)?
(Yes/No)

33. Please describe your neighborhood/the area where you lived in Greece.
(1 = mostly concrete, buildings, etc, 7 = mostly trees, grass, etc)

34. How did your neighborhood/area in Greece compare to other places?

(1 = far fewer natural “green” elements like trees and grasses, 7 = many more
natural “green” elements like trees and grasses)

35. In Greece, was there a park or nature preserve in your local area that was easily
accessible.
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

36. In Greece, were there pleasant natural features in your local area.
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

37. In Greece, how long would it take to get from your home to the nearest parks or
nature reserves?

1 – 5 minutes
6 – 10 minutes
11 – 20 minutes
21 – 30 minutes
30+ minutes

Page | 63
38. In Greece, how much time do you spend outdoors during an average week?
Less than an hour
1 – 3 hours
3 – 5 hours
5 – 7 hours
7+ hours

39. Did you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you lived in Greece.
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

40. In Sweden, from the main living spaces in your home (kitchen, living room,
bedroom, etc) is the view outside the window(s) mostly of concrete, buildings,
etc. or mostly of natural elements like trees, grass, etc?

41. In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with trees, grass, a garden or
other natural “green” elements (like bushes)?
(Yes/No)

42. In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with a pond, lake, stream or
other natural “blue” elements (like a river)?
(Yes/No)

43. Please describe your neighborhood/the area where you live in Sweden. (1 =
mostly concrete, buildings, etc, 7 = mostly trees, grass, etc)?
(1 = far fewer natural “green” elements like trees and grasses, 7 = many more
natural “green” elements like trees and grasses)

44. How does your neighborhood/area compare to other places in Sweden?

(1 = far fewer natural “blue” elements like lakes and streams, 7 = many more
natural “blue” elements like lakes and streams)

45. There is a park or nature preserve in your local area easily accessible.
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

46. Are there pleasant natural features in your local area.

(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

47. How long would it take to get from your home to the nearest parks or nature
reserves?

1 – 5 minutes
6 – 10 minutes
11 – 20 minutes
21 – 30 minutes
30+ minutes

48. About how much time do you spend outdoors during an average week?
Less than an hour
1 – 3 hours
3 – 5 hours
5 – 7 hours

Page | 64
 7+ hours

49. Do you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you live?
(1 = strongly disagree, 7 = strongly agree)

Page | 65
Nature – Health Correlation Questionnaire

page 1 / 100
 Results

Survey 881944

Number of records in this query: 81

Total records in survey: 81
Percentage of total: 100.00%

page 2 / 100
 Summary for G01Q01

How do you identify?

Answer Count Percentage

Male (AO01) 40 49.38%
Female (AO02) 37 45.68%
LGTBq (AO03) 4 4.94%
Other (AO04) 0 0.00%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 3 / 100
Summary for G01Q01

How do you identify?

page 4 / 100
 Summary for G01Q02

What is your age?

Answer Count Percentage

Under 16 (AO01) 0 0.00%
17-25 (AO02) 6 7.41%
26-35 (AO03) 45 55.56%
36-50 (AO04) 27 33.33%
51-65 (AO05) 3 3.70%
Over 65 (AO06) 0 0.00%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 5 / 100
Summary for G01Q02

What is your age?

page 6 / 100
 Summary for G01Q03

What is your highest level of education?

Answer Count Percentage

Attended high school but did not finish (AO01) 1 1.23%
High School Diploma (AO02) 9 11.11%
Attended college but did not finish (AO03) 4 4.94%
Vocational/Technical degree or certificate (AO04) 13 16.05%
Associates Degree (AO05) 0 0.00%
Bachelor’s Degree (AO06) 22 27.16%
Master’s Degree (AO07) 30 37.04%
Doctorate Degree (AO08) 2 2.47%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 7 / 100
 Summary for G01Q03

What is your highest level of education?

page 8 / 100
 Summary for G01Q04

How would you describe your current employment status in Sweden?

Answer Count Percentage

Unemployed (AO01) 2 2.47%
Disabled (AO02) 0 0.00%
Employed – Full Time (AO03) 55 67.90%
Employed – Part Time (AO04) 7 8.64%
Looking for Employment (AO05) 5 6.17%
Student (AO06) 11 13.58%
Homemaker (AO07) 1 1.23%
Retired (AO08) 0 0.00%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 9 / 100
 Summary for G01Q04

How would you describe your current employment status in Sweden?

page 10 / 100
 Summary for G01Q05

How would you describe your former employment status in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

Unemployed (AO01) 13 16.05%
Disabled (AO02) 1 1.23%
Employed – Full Time (AO03) 39 48.15%
Employed – Part Time (AO04) 6 7.41%
Looking for Employment (AO05) 7 8.64%
Student (AO06) 13 16.05%
Homemaker (AO07) 1 1.23%
Retired (AO08) 1 1.23%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 11 / 100
 Summary for G01Q05

How would you describe your former employment status in Greece?

page 12 / 100
 Summary for G01Q06

How many years have you lived in Sweden?

Answer Count Percentage

0 ( Meaning < 1 ) (AO01) 7 8.64%
1-2 (AO02) 20 24.69%
3-4 (AO03) 28 34.57%
5–6 (AO04) 13 16.05%
More than 6 (AO05) 13 16.05%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 13 / 100
 Summary for G01Q06

How many years have you lived in Sweden?

page 14 / 100
 Summary for G01Q07

What was the reason for choosing to move to Sweden?

Answer Count Percentage

Feedback from friends (AO01) 3 3.70%
Feedback from former colleagues (AO02) 1 1.23%
Relocation for love (AO03) 8 9.88%
Studies (AO04) 9 11.11%
Employment (AO05) 20 24.69%
Economic Factors (AO06) 15 18.52%
Better environment and living conditions (AO07) 25 30.86%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 15 / 100
 Summary for G01Q07

What was the reason for choosing to move to Sweden?

page 16 / 100
 Summary for G01Q08

What is your marital status?

Answer Count Percentage

Married (AO01) 29 35.80%
Widowed (AO02) 1 1.23%
Separated (AO03) 0 0.00%
Divorced (AO04) 1 1.23%
Living with Partner (AO05) 26 32.10%
Single (AO06) 22 27.16%
Prefer not to say (AO07) 2 2.47%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 17 / 100
Summary for G01Q08

What is your marital status?

page 18 / 100
 Summary for G01Q09

How many children are there in your family?

Answer Count Percentage

0 (AO01) 47 58.02%
1-2 (AO02) 29 35.80%
3-4 (AO03) 5 6.17%
5-6 (AO04) 0 0.00%
More than 6 (AO05) 0 0.00%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 19 / 100
 Summary for G01Q09

How many children are there in your family?

page 20 / 100
 Summary for G01Q10

How many children did you have while living in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

0 (AO01) 63 77.78%
1-2 (AO02) 16 19.75%
3-4 (AO03) 2 2.47%
5-6 (AO04) 0 0.00%
More than 6 (AO05) 0 0.00%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 21 / 100
 Summary for G01Q10

How many children did you have while living in Greece?

page 22 / 100
 Summary for G01Q11

If you had additional children after moving to Sweden, what was the reason?

Answer Count Percentage

Personal desire (SQ01) 22 27.16%
Better economic stability (SQ02) 18 22.22%
Better working conditions (SQ03) 19 23.46%
Grow the family (SQ04) 7 8.64%
Providing a sibling/s for child/children in the family (SQ05) 4 4.94%
All of the above (SQ06) 10 12.35%
Other 29 35.80%

ID Response
9 do not have children
13 No children at all
18 I don't have children
19 No children
23 not old enough
25 I didn't have any children after moving to Sweden
28 I have no children and I do not want to
29 Just didn’t have any children because I am gay
31 no kids
32 I don't have any child
35 I have no children.
36 None
38 Dont have any
40 Dis not have additional children
42 I dont have children
46 I have not children
47 No children
51 X
55 I don't have children and I am not living in Sweden anymore
57 No kids
62 No children
63 not having children
64 I don’t have kids
65 Did not have children
68 i didnt have any children while moving
72 no children
78 no children
82 No children
83 no children

page 23 / 100
 Summary for G01Q11

If you had additional children after moving to Sweden, what was the reason?

page 24 / 100
 Summary for G01Q12

In general, how would you rate your health when living in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 3 3.70%
2 (AO02) 7 8.64%
3 (AO03) 11 13.58%
4 (AO04) 13 16.05%
5 (AO05) 20 24.69%
6 (AO06) 19 23.46%
7 (AO07) 8 9.88%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 25 / 100
 Summary for G01Q12

In general, how would you rate your health when living in Greece?

page 26 / 100
 Summary for G01Q13

How was your health compared to other people in your age when living in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 1 1.23%
2 (AO02) 7 8.64%
3 (AO03) 8 9.88%
4 (AO04) 24 29.63%
5 (AO05) 17 20.99%
6 (AO06) 16 19.75%
7 (AO07) 8 9.88%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 27 / 100
 Summary for G01Q13

How was your health compared to other people in your age when living in Greece?

page 28 / 100
 Summary for G01Q14

Did you feel happy and/or content most of the time when living in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 5 6.17%
2 (AO02) 9 11.11%
3 (AO03) 16 19.75%
4 (AO04) 18 22.22%
5 (AO05) 14 17.28%
6 (AO06) 14 17.28%
7 (AO07) 5 6.17%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 29 / 100
 Summary for G01Q14

Did you feel happy and/or content most of the time when living in Greece?

page 30 / 100
 Summary for G01Q15

Did you take good care of yourself when living in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (SQ00) 5 6.17%
2 (SQ01) 6 7.41%
3 (SQ02) 14 17.28%
4 (SQ03) 18 22.22%
5 (SQ04) 17 20.99%
6 (SQ05) 14 17.28%
7 (SQ06) 7 8.64%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 31 / 100
 Summary for G01Q15

Did you take good care of yourself when living in Greece?

page 32 / 100
 Summary for G01Q40

In Sweden, from the main living spaces in your home (kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc) is the view
outside the window(s) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or mostly of natural elements like trees, grass,
etc?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 1 1.23%
2 (AO02) 2 2.47%
3 (AO03) 4 4.94%
4 (AO04) 7 8.64%
5 (AO05) 11 13.58%
6 (AO06) 34 41.98%
7 (AO07) 22 27.16%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 33 / 100
 Summary for G01Q40

In Sweden, from the main living spaces in your home (kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc) is the view
outside the window(s) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or mostly of natural elements like trees, grass,
etc?

page 34 / 100
 Summary for G01Q35

In Greece, was there a park or nature preserve in your local area that was easily accessible.

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 9 11.11%
2 (AO02) 12 14.81%
3 (AO03) 21 25.93%
4 (AO04) 11 13.58%
5 (AO05) 12 14.81%
6 (AO06) 7 8.64%
7 (AO07) 9 11.11%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 35 / 100
 Summary for G01Q35

In Greece, was there a park or nature preserve in your local area that was easily accessible.

page 36 / 100
 Summary for G01Q36

In Greece, were there pleasant natural features in your local area.

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 11 13.58%
2 (AO02) 14 17.28%
3 (AO03) 16 19.75%
4 (AO04) 14 17.28%
5 (AO05) 9 11.11%
6 (AO06) 9 11.11%
7 (AO07) 8 9.88%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 37 / 100
 Summary for G01Q36

In Greece, were there pleasant natural features in your local area.

page 38 / 100
 Summary for G01Q37

In Greece, how long would it take to get from your home to the nearest parks or nature reserves?

Answer Count Percentage

1 – 5 minutes (AO01) 12 14.81%
6 – 10 minutes (AO02) 20 24.69%
11 – 20 minutes (AO03) 23 28.40%
21 – 30 minutes (AO04) 12 14.81%
30+ minutes (AO05) 14 17.28%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 39 / 100
 Summary for G01Q37

In Greece, how long would it take to get from your home to the nearest parks or nature reserves?

page 40 / 100
 Summary for G01Q38

In Greece, how much time do you spend outdoors during an average week?

Answer Count Percentage

Less than an hour (AO01) 7 8.64%
1 – 3 hours (AO02) 20 24.69%
3 – 5 hours (AO03) 20 24.69%
5 – 7 hours (AO04) 5 6.17%
7+ hours (AO05) 29 35.80%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 41 / 100
 Summary for G01Q38

In Greece, how much time do you spend outdoors during an average week?

page 42 / 100
 Summary for G01Q39

Did you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you lived in Greece.

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 5 6.17%
2 (AO02) 8 9.88%
3 (AO03) 8 9.88%
4 (AO04) 21 25.93%
5 (AO05) 16 19.75%
6 (AO06) 14 17.28%
7 (AO07) 9 11.11%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 43 / 100
 Summary for G01Q39

Did you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you lived in Greece.

page 44 / 100
 Summary for G01Q48

About how much time do you spend outdoors during an average week?

Answer Count Percentage

Less than an hour (AO01) 4 4.94%
1 – 3 hours (AO02) 12 14.81%
3 – 5 hours (AO03) 21 25.93%
5 – 7 hours (AO04) 21 25.93%
7+ hours (AO05) 23 28.40%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 45 / 100
 Summary for G01Q48

About how much time do you spend outdoors during an average week?

page 46 / 100
 Summary for G01Q41

In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with trees, grass, a garden or other natural “green”
elements (like bushes)?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 68 83.95%
No (N) 10 12.35%
No answer 3 3.70%

page 47 / 100
 Summary for G01Q41

In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with trees, grass, a garden or other natural “green”
elements (like bushes)?

page 48 / 100
 Summary for G01Q42

In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with a pond, lake, stream or other natural “blue”
elements (like a river)?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 46 56.79%
No (N) 29 35.80%
No answer 6 7.41%

page 49 / 100
 Summary for G01Q42

In Sweden, does your home have access to a yard with a pond, lake, stream or other natural “blue”
elements (like a river)?

page 50 / 100
 Summary for G01Q43

Please describe your neighborhood/the area where you live in Sweden. (1 = mostly concrete, buildings,
etc, 7 = mostly trees, grass, etc)?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 1 1.23%
3 (AO03) 1 1.23%
4 (AO04) 5 6.17%
5 (AO05) 16 19.75%
6 (AO06) 30 37.04%
7 (AO07) 28 34.57%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 51 / 100
 Summary for G01Q43

Please describe your neighborhood/the area where you live in Sweden. (1 = mostly concrete, buildings,
etc, 7 = mostly trees, grass, etc)?

page 52 / 100
 Summary for G01Q44

How does your neighborhood/area compare to other places in Sweden?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 2 2.47%
2 (AO02) 2 2.47%
3 (AO03) 1 1.23%
4 (AO04) 13 16.05%
5 (AO05) 25 30.86%
6 (AO06) 26 32.10%
7 (AO07) 12 14.81%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 53 / 100
 Summary for G01Q44

How does your neighborhood/area compare to other places in Sweden?

page 54 / 100
 Summary for G01Q45

There is a park or nature preserve in your local area easily accessible.

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 2 2.47%
4 (AO04) 5 6.17%
5 (AO05) 7 8.64%
6 (AO06) 18 22.22%
7 (AO07) 49 60.49%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 55 / 100
 Summary for G01Q45

There is a park or nature preserve in your local area easily accessible.

page 56 / 100
 Summary for G01Q46

Are there pleasant natural features in your local area.

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 1 1.23%
4 (AO04) 2 2.47%
5 (AO05) 8 9.88%
6 (AO06) 25 30.86%
7 (AO07) 45 55.56%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 57 / 100
 Summary for G01Q46

Are there pleasant natural features in your local area.

page 58 / 100
 Summary for G01Q47

How long would it take to get from your home to the nearest parks or nature reserves?

Answer Count Percentage

1 – 5 minutes (AO01) 45 55.56%
6 – 10 minutes (AO02) 25 30.86%
11 – 20 minutes (AO03) 8 9.88%
21 – 30 minutes (AO04) 2 2.47%
30+ minutes (AO05) 1 1.23%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 59 / 100
 Summary for G01Q47

How long would it take to get from your home to the nearest parks or nature reserves?

page 60 / 100
 Summary for G01Q33

Please describe your neighborhood/the area where you lived in Greece.

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 22 27.16%
2 (AO02) 13 16.05%
3 (AO03) 14 17.28%
4 (AO04) 14 17.28%
5 (AO05) 7 8.64%
6 (AO06) 8 9.88%
7 (AO07) 3 3.70%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 61 / 100
 Summary for G01Q33

Please describe your neighborhood/the area where you lived in Greece.

page 62 / 100
 Summary for G01Q34

How did your neighborhood/area in Greece compare to other places?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 14 17.28%
2 (AO02) 13 16.05%
3 (AO03) 13 16.05%
4 (AO04) 18 22.22%
5 (AO05) 9 11.11%
6 (AO06) 7 8.64%
7 (AO07) 7 8.64%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 63 / 100
 Summary for G01Q34

How did your neighborhood/area in Greece compare to other places?

page 64 / 100
 Summary for G01Q25

How is your health compared to other people your age?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 1 1.23%
4 (AO04) 11 13.58%
5 (AO05) 28 34.57%
6 (AO06) 29 35.80%
7 (AO07) 12 14.81%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 65 / 100
 Summary for G01Q25

How is your health compared to other people your age?

page 66 / 100
 Summary for G01Q32

In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with a pond, lake, stream or other natural “blue” elements
(like a river)?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 18 22.22%
No (N) 63 77.78%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 67 / 100
 Summary for G01Q32

In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with a pond, lake, stream or other natural “blue” elements
(like a river)?

page 68 / 100
 Summary for G01Q22

If no to what extent?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 0 0.00%
4 (AO04) 0 0.00%
5 (AO05) 3 3.70%
6 (AO06) 0 0.00%
7 (AO07) 0 0.00%
No answer 78 96.30%

page 69 / 100
Summary for G01Q22

If no to what extent?

page 70 / 100
 Summary for G01Q16

Did you feel physically and mentally healthy when living in Greece?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 6 7.41%
2 (AO02) 10 12.35%
3 (AO03) 15 18.52%
4 (AO04) 16 19.75%
5 (AO05) 17 20.99%
6 (AO06) 9 11.11%
7 (AO07) 8 9.88%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 71 / 100
 Summary for G01Q16

Did you feel physically and mentally healthy when living in Greece?

page 72 / 100
 Summary for G01Q17

Did you seek medical assistance?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 18 22.22%
No (N) 19 23.46%
No answer 44 54.32%

page 73 / 100
 Summary for G01Q17

Did you seek medical assistance?

page 74 / 100
 Summary for G01Q18

Were you prescribed medication?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 11 13.58%
No (N) 6 7.41%
No answer 64 79.01%

page 75 / 100
 Summary for G01Q18

Were you prescribed medication?

page 76 / 100
 Summary for G01Q19

What did your ailments relate to?

Answer Count Percentage

Mental condition/circumstance (AO01) 40 49.38%
Physical condition/circumstance (AO02) 41 50.62%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 77 / 100
 Summary for G01Q19

What did your ailments relate to?

page 78 / 100
 Summary for G01Q20

Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments improved?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 71 87.65%
No (N) 10 12.35%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 79 / 100
 Summary for G01Q20

Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments improved?

page 80 / 100
 Summary for G01Q21

If yes to what extent?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 1 1.23%
2 (AO02) 1 1.23%
3 (AO03) 4 4.94%
4 (AO04) 7 8.64%
5 (AO05) 15 18.52%
6 (AO06) 28 34.57%
7 (AO07) 14 17.28%
No answer 11 13.58%

page 81 / 100
Summary for G01Q21

If yes to what extent?

page 82 / 100
 Summary for G01Q23

Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments disappeared?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 21 25.93%
No (N) 35 43.21%
No answer 25 30.86%

page 83 / 100
 Summary for G01Q23

Upon moving to Sweden has your ailments disappeared?

page 84 / 100
 Summary for G01Q31

In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with trees, grass, a garden or other natural “green”
elements (like bushes)?

Answer Count Percentage

Yes (Y) 31 38.27%
No (N) 50 61.73%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 85 / 100
 Summary for G01Q31

In Greece, did your home have access to a yard with trees, grass, a garden or other natural “green”
elements (like bushes)?

page 86 / 100
 Summary for G01Q24

How would you rate your health currently?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 0 0.00%
4 (AO04) 6 7.41%
5 (AO05) 25 30.86%
6 (AO06) 30 37.04%
7 (AO07) 20 24.69%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 87 / 100
 Summary for G01Q24

How would you rate your health currently?

page 88 / 100
 Summary for G01Q26

Do you feel happy and/or content most of the time?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 2 2.47%
4 (AO04) 7 8.64%
5 (AO05) 24 29.63%
6 (AO06) 33 40.74%
7 (AO07) 15 18.52%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 89 / 100
 Summary for G01Q26

Do you feel happy and/or content most of the time?

page 90 / 100
 Summary for G01Q27

Do you take good care of yourself now?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 0 0.00%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 1 1.23%
4 (AO04) 3 3.70%
5 (AO05) 24 29.63%
6 (AO06) 35 43.21%
7 (AO07) 18 22.22%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 91 / 100
 Summary for G01Q27

Do you take good care of yourself now?

page 92 / 100
 Summary for G01Q28

Do you feel physically and mentally healthy?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 1 1.23%
2 (AO02) 0 0.00%
3 (AO03) 0 0.00%
4 (AO04) 8 9.88%
5 (AO05) 21 25.93%
6 (AO06) 34 41.98%
7 (AO07) 17 20.99%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 93 / 100
 Summary for G01Q28

Do you feel physically and mentally healthy?

page 94 / 100
 Summary for G01Q29

In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your main living space in your home (bedroom, living
room, kitchen, etc) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or mostly of natural elements like trees, grass, etc?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 24 29.63%
2 (AO02) 14 17.28%
3 (AO03) 11 13.58%
4 (AO04) 12 14.81%
5 (AO05) 7 8.64%
6 (AO06) 9 11.11%
7 (AO07) 4 4.94%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 95 / 100
 Summary for G01Q29

In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your main living space in your home (bedroom, living
room, kitchen, etc) mostly of concrete, buildings, etc. or mostly of natural elements like trees, grass, etc?

page 96 / 100
 Summary for G01Q30

In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your office mostly of natural elements like trees, grass,
etc?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 24 29.63%
2 (AO02) 19 23.46%
3 (AO03) 8 9.88%
4 (AO04) 9 11.11%
5 (AO05) 6 7.41%
6 (AO06) 8 9.88%
7 (AO07) 7 8.64%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 97 / 100
 Summary for G01Q30

In Greece, was the view outside the window(s) of your office mostly of natural elements like trees, grass,
etc?

page 98 / 100
 Summary for G01Q49

Do you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you live?

Answer Count Percentage

1 (AO01) 1 1.23%
2 (AO02) 1 1.23%
3 (AO03) 3 3.70%
4 (AO04) 9 11.11%
5 (AO05) 14 17.28%
6 (AO06) 31 38.27%
7 (AO07) 22 27.16%
No answer 0 0.00%

page 99 / 100
 Summary for G01Q49

Do you feel safe being outdoors in the place where you live?

page 100 / 100

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