The quality of life in our cities critically depends on the intelligent planning and shaping of urban living space, in particular urban nature. By providing a wide range of ecosystem services (ES), urban nature essentially contributes to the well-being of city dwellers and plays a major role in avoiding common diseases through its positive impact on physical and mental health. Health is one of the most important factors underlying human welfare and is, thus, vital to sustainable development. The ES of urban green space provide other social-cultural functions alongside public health, for example by fostering environmental justice and citizenship participation. Thus, they should always be considered when searching for solutions to urban problems. The aim of this research was to determine the impact of green areas in three selected cities on the health and well-being of people by self-reporting of green areas’ visitors. To this end, we posed the research question: which types and characteristics of urban green space are most appreciated by city dwellers? Based on our findings, we have drawn up recommendations for practices to promote better living conditions. We have also pinpointed obstacles to and opportunities for leisure time activities as well as ways of supporting the public health of citizens.
Zusammenfassung. Theoretischer Hintergrund: Internetnutzungszeiten von Jugendlichen sind während der COVID-19-Pandemie stark angestiegen. Dies wird auch mit einer Zunahme an Internetnutzungsstörungen in Verbindung gebracht. Fragestellung: Anhand eines ipsativen Vergleichs wurde untersucht, ob mit der gestiegenen Online-Zeit während der COVID-19-Pandemie auch die schädliche und abhängige Internetnutzung bei Jugendlichen zugenommen hat. Methode: 743 Jugendliche aus acht weiterführenden Schulen in der Metropolregion Rhein-Neckar wurden in zwei Wellen (2015/2016 und 2021) mit der Compulsive Internet Use Scale untersucht. Ergebnisse: Sowohl die Symptomschwere als auch die Prävalenz der abhängigen Internetnutzung nahmen signifikant über die Zeit zu. Die Symptombelastung korrelierte außerdem negativ mit der Lebensqualität. Diskussion und Schlussfolgerung: Es wird diskutiert, wie dem erhöhten Versorgungsbedarf mit verhältnis- und verhaltenspräventiven Maßnahmen und therapeutischen Angeboten begegnet werden kann.
Background: Use of Internet applications is often associated with postponing real-life obligations. Previous cross-sectional studies have reported a positive association between procrastination and Internet use disorders (IUDs). Further, procrastination is included in theoretical models explaining the development of IUDs. However, little is known about the temporal relationship; thus, longitudinal studies identifying the specific predictive direction are required. Methods: Using a cross-lagged panel design, a total of 240 students who were at high risk for IUDs, aged between 12 and 18 years (M = 15.17, SD = 1.66) were assessed at baseline (t1) and reassessed one year later (t2) with standardized measures for IUDs and procrastination. Results: Our results showed that IUD symptom severity at t2 was significantly predicted both by IUD symptom severity at t1 and procrastination at t1. However, procrastination at t2 was predicted only by procrastination at t1 but not by IUD symptom severity at t1. Conclusions: We could not find a reciprocal relationship between procrastination and IUD symptom severity. Procrastination appears to be a causal risk factor for IUDs, but not a consequence. As a modifiable risk factor, procrastination is a promising starting point for preventive and therapeutic interventions for IUDs.
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