Access to Natural Green Spaces and their Associations with Psychological Wellbeing for South Asian People in the UK: A Systematic Literature Review

Use of natural green spaces (NGS) is associated with improved psychological wellbeing (PWB). Ethnic minority groups face disparities in access to NGS within the UK, particularly South Asian (SA) communities. SAs also experience a higher prevalence of physical and mental health challenges than the general population, which can be alleviated through engagement with NGS. Following PRISMA guidelines, this systematic literature review aimed to synthesise existing research on access barriers experienced by SAs and associations between NGS use and PWB. A comprehensive search was conducted on the databases SAGE, Science Direct and SCOPUS; we included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods studies with findings on NGS access and/or associations between NGS use and PWB for SAs in the UK. Findings indicate that use of NGS is associated with enhanced PWB in multiple ways specific to SA communities, who face compounding access barriers related to geography, safety, and sociocultural factors. We offer guidance for future research and stress the importance of considering specific communities’ experiences in NGS instead of homogenising diverse groups under the label of 'ethnic minority'. Suggestions are given for policy and intervention frameworks to address access concerns, considering factors such as geographical distribution, safety measures, and culturally sensitive approaches to promote equitable access and mitigate health disparities.