Martin, LeanneWhite, Mathew P.Elliott, Lewis R.Grellier, JamesAstell-Burt, ThomasBratman, Gregory N.Lima, Maria L.Nieuwenhuijsen, Mark J.Ojala, AnnRoiko, AnneRoiko, Annevan den Bosch, Matilda A.Fleming, Lora E.2024-07-022024-07-022024Martin L, White MP, Elliott LR, Grellier J, Astell-Burt T, Bratman GN, et al. Mechanisms underlying the associations between different types of nature exposure and sleep duration: An 18-country analysis. Environ Res. 2024 Jun 1;250:118522. DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.1185220013-9351http://hdl.handle.net/10230/60627Whilst green space has been linked to healthier sleep outcomes, the roles of specific types of nature exposure, potential underlying mechanisms, and between-country variations in nature-sleep associations have received little attention. Drawing on cross-sectional survey data from an 18-country sample of adults (N = 16,077) the current study examined: 1) the relative associations between six different types of nature exposure (streetscape greenery, blue view from home, green space within 1 km, coast within 1 km, green space visits, blue space visits) and insufficient sleep (<6 h vs. 7-10 h per day); 2) whether these relationships were mediated by better mental wellbeing and/or physical activity; and 3) the consistency of these pathways among the different countries. After controlling for covariates, neighbourhood nature measures (green space, coast within 1 km) were not significantly associated with insufficient sleep; but nature visible from home (streetscape greenery, blue views) and recreational visits to green and blue spaces were each associated with less insufficient sleep. Significant nature-sleep associations were mediated, to varying degrees, by better mental wellbeing, but not self-reported physical activity. Country-level heterogeneity in the strength of nature-sleep associations was observed. Increasing nature visible from the home may represent a promising strategy for promoting healthier sleep duration at the population level, whilst nature-based interventions encouraging individuals to spend time in local green/blue spaces may be an appropriate target to assist individuals affected by insufficient sleep.application/pdfeng© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).info:eu-repo/semantics/articlehttp://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2024.118522Blue spaceGreen spaceNatureSleepWellbeinginfo:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess