Growing evidence indicates that forests enhance mental well-being by reducing stress. However, urbanization and intensive forestry in Finland are causing urban and peri-urban forests to decline, fragment, and become less accessible. Forests are also increasingly younger, more monocultural, and simpler in structure, potentially affecting their restorative quality. This is concerning, as city living is linked to mental health issues, with over 50% of Finnish disability pensions attributed to mental problems (OECD).
Research on the field has largely focused on comparing green and built environments or examining physical activity in nature. Many studies emphasize forest preferences, assuming that liked features predict restoration. However, these studies often rely on images rather than real forest settings, and the effects of different forest management regimes on restoration remain understudied. This dissertation seeks to address these gaps.
The dissertation examined four spruce-dominated forests with varying management levels: an urban recreation forest, a mature and a young commercial forest, and an unmanaged old-growth forest. Sixty-six participants visited each forest once. Psychological changes and forest preferences were assessed, and the influence of individual background and mental state on restoration across forest types was examined.
The mature commercial forest and old-growth forest were the most restorative, yet the results also showed that all forests reduced stress. The urban recreation forest was more restorative than the young commercial forest, but less so than the other two. Preferences varied, but the old-growth and mature commercial forests were the most valued. Perceived beauty correlated with restorativeness in all forests, while perceived biodiversity was linked to restoration in all except the urban recreation forest. While preferences and restoration were connected, the relationship was not entirely consistent. A notable association between work stress and restoration emerged in the old-growth and mature commercial forests, with a stronger effect in the old-growth forest. Additionally, risk of depression was significantly linked to restoration only in the old-growth forest.
These findings highlight the importance of preserving natural forests and maintaining ecological integrity in forests near residential areas.