Long-term effects of urban biophilic art environments on depression and anxiety symptoms: a longitudinal intervention study

Urban environments have been increasingly associated with elevated rates of depression and anxiety disorders, prompting exploration of innovative environmental interventions to promote mental health. This longitudinal study investigated the therapeutic effects of urban biophilic art environments on depression and anxiety symptoms among 300 urban residents over a 12-month period. Using a quasi-experimental design, participants were divided into intervention (n = 156) and control (n = 144) groups, with the intervention group having regular access to purpose-designed biophilic art installations integrating natural elements with artistic expression. Mental health outcomes were assessed using standardized measures (PHQ-9, GAD-7) at baseline, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Results demonstrated significant improvements in both depression (F(4,1192) = 18.47, p < .001, partial η² = 0.058) and anxiety symptoms (F(4,1192) = 17.15, p < .001, partial η² = 0.055) in the intervention group compared to controls. Mediation analysis revealed that attention restoration, stress reduction, and environmental perception quality accounted for 67% of depression symptom improvement and 72% of anxiety symptom reduction. Individual differences in nature connectedness and age moderated intervention effectiveness. These findings provide evidence that biophilic art environments can serve as accessible, community-based interventions for urban mental health promotion, offering practical implications for urban planning and public health policy.