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“Sunlight and Mental Wellbeing” by Lynette B. Robertson

421 views · Published 16 September 2015 · 12:49 · Indexed 21 October 2026

Channel: The VELUX Group · 2015 · Science & Technology

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Lecture from the 6th VELUX Daylight Symposium “Daylight as a driver of change” that took place in London on 2-3 September 2015. For more information visit http://thedaylightsite.com

ABSTRACT

This research set out to examine if access to sunlight in the home is a factor contributing to the psychological health and wellbeing of residents of social housing in Glasgow. A pilot study was undertaken in October 2012, involving a survey of 40 residents living in flats of four tower blocks in the Shawbridge area of Glasgow (24 male, 16 female). Psychological health and wellbeing was assessed using two measures: (i) WEMWBS – the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale; Mental wellbeing; and (ii) GHQ-12 – the General Health Questionnaire; Psychological distress. Sunlight received indoors was modelled using Integrated Environmental Solutions (IES) software (annual average, m2 hr/yr). Separate calculations were made for each room and the level of occlusion from curtains and blinds was taken into account (recorded at the time of survey). Analyses were undertaken for (i) the sample as a whole (n = 40); (ii) a sub-sample of individuals who typically spent 2 hours or more in their living room each day (n = 18). Exploratory analysis indicated that the living room was the room that was used most during daylight hours. Mental wellbeing scores ranged from 21-70 with a mean of 49 (SD = 12.2). Psychological distress scores ranged from 0-12 with a median of 2.5 (IQR= 5). There was no significant differences in average scores between men and women. Modelled total sunlight for each dwelling (with occlusion from curtains and blinds included) ranged from 0 to 6703 m2 hr/yr, with a mean of 2500 m2 hr/yr (SD = 1655). For the living room values ranged from 0 to 4567 m2 hr/yr, mean = 1740 m2 hr/ yr (SD = 1295). Mental wellbeing was found to be positively associated with living room modelled sunlight (r = .357, p less than 0.05), but after controlling for key confounding variables, sunlight was not a significant predictor of mental wellbeing. No significant association was found between sunlight and the psychological distress measure. For the sub-sample of individuals who typically spent 2 hours or more in their living room each day, mental wellbeing was positively associated with living room sunlight (r = .733, p = 0.001), and also for the flat as a whole (r = .553, p = 0.017). There was no significant associations between sunlight and level of psychological distress. Further analysis of the data is currently in progress, including regression analyses for the sub-sample; use of daylight data for the month of October only; relationships with environmental monitoring data (temperature, humidity, air quality); and exploration of sample characteristics in relation to curtain/blind habits.

Lynette Robertson is a research scientist based in the Mackintosh Environmental Architecture Research Unit (MEARU) within Mackintosh School of Architecture, Glasgow School of Art. Following a PhD in Geoscience from Edinburgh University in 2005, she spent a number of years as a data scientist, and subsequently an atmospheric dispersion modeler at the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA). Since 2010 she has worked in environmental and architectural design research with a focus on human health and wellbeing, and in particular the health benefits of contact with nature and urban green spaces. Prior to joining MEARU in September 2014, Lynette worked as a Research Associate and Research Fellow on a number of large collaborative research projects at OPENspace Research Centre at Edinburgh College of Art, University of Edinburgh. A passionate advocate of urban greening and growing, alongside her academic research, Lynette also works to promote green infrastructure technologies in Scotland through contributions to the work of the Scottish Green Infrastructure Forum (SGIF), and as an independent urban greening consultant.

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