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Publication
Perceived changes in well-being and happiness with gardening in urban organic allotments in Portugal
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Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
"Urban allotment gardens (AG) in Portugal have increased in recent years, as in many other
European countries and worldwide. The contribution of these gardens to the happiness and
well-being of urban populations has been recognized, but evaluations of their benefits are
still very scarce. The objective of this study was to evaluate this contribution, based on the
urban organic AG of the Devesa Park in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The sample
included 65 gardeners who completed the self-administered questionnaires of Bem-Estar
Pessoal (personal well-being scale), Felicidade Subjetiva (subjective happiness scale) and
sociodemographic characteristics. Respondents were mainly adults under 65 years, married
and academically well qualified and about half of them had a professional activity, with nearly
one third being retired. They considered themselves happy with their life (Personal Wellbeing Index = 74.5%) and revealed an optimistic and positive attitude towards life, regardless
of economic or social difficulties. The increased frequency of visits for gardening was
positively related to a greater perception of subjective happiness. The gardeners who visited
the AG more frequently considered themselves happier from a self-perspective and in
comparison with peers. It can be suggested that urban organic AG represent a means for
enhancing citizen well-being, contributing positively to their feelings of happiness and life
satisfaction, changing behaviours and developing personal capacities. Beyond economic
measures, urban AG can be recommended to capture the well-being of societies."
Description
Keywords
Urban agriculture Organic production system Life satisfaction Subjective happiness scale Personal well-being scale
Citation
I. Mourão, M. C. Moreira, T. C. Almeida & L. M. Brito (2019) Perceived changes in well-being and happiness with gardening in urban organic allotments in Portugal, International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 26:1, 79-89, DOI: 10.1080/13504509.2018.1469550
Publisher
Taylor & Francis