> Several studies show that people who live near parks, canals, rivers – any green space – are less likely to struggle with mental health issues. And this is the case even after we account for individual differences in socioeconomics. The risk of developing depression is about 20% lower in people who live near or spend a significant amount of time near green spaces. But what we don’t know is which specific aspects of the natural environment are beneficial.
So when you control for socioeconomic status, and an effect remains, is the remaining actual effect 20% or something much less? Worth asking anyway.