More than half of the world's population works full time and spends about one-third of their weekdays at workplaces (International Labor Organization, 2022). Mental disorders are one of the health problems that have emerged among working populations (World Health Organization, 2022). Previous empirical research and theories demonstrated that nature exposure positively impacts human health and wellbeing (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989). Green roofs can be one of the most easily accessible nature places for office workers in city centers. This study examines the relationship between green roofs and work-related distress, mental fatigue, and restoration. An online survey of 179 employees was used to evaluate the relationship between exposure to six different green roofs and employee work-related distress, mental fatigue, and mental restoration. The results show that the average time spent on green roofs and the frequency of visits have statistically significant relationships with the mental restoration. / Doctor of Philosophy / More than half of the world's population works full time and spends about one-third of their weekdays at workplaces (International Labor Organization, 2022). Mental health issues are one of the health problems that have emerged among employees (World Health Organization, 2022). Previous research and theories demonstrated that nature contributes to human health and wellbeing in a very positive way (Kaplan and Kaplan 1989). This study investigates the relationship between green roofs and work-related stress and mental fatigue.
This study evaluates employees' perceived stress and mental fatigue at work, their perception of onsite green roofs, and the restorative capacity of workplace green roofs using a 32-item online survey. 179 employees from four companies with at least one onsite green roof each answered the survey. The results showed that the average time spent on green roofs per visit, the frequency of visits, employees' attitudes and perceptions towards workplace green roofs, the organization's relevance with nature, the presence of diverse species on the green roof, and employees' knowledge about green roofs are related to the perceived restoration capacity of the green roof.
The study contributes to understanding the relationship between the restorative capacity of green roofs and work-related psychosocial outcomes, employees' green roof use patterns, preferences, and green roof design attributes. Green roof designers, the green roof industry, and business owners can benefit from the study findings and implications to create more restorative green roofs, as well as happier and healthier workplaces.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:VTETD/oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/113832 |
| Date | 14 February 2023 |
| Creators | Ozturk Sari, Sevda |
| Contributors | Architecture, Bohannon, C. L., Miller, Patrick A., Hosig, Kathryn Wright, Clements, Terry Lynn, Calderwood, Charles |
| Publisher | Virginia Tech |
| Source Sets | Virginia Tech Theses and Dissertation |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Dissertation |
| Format | ETD, application/pdf, application/pdf |
| Rights | In Copyright, http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/ |
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