Perceived setting interdependencies: the hidden barrier to urban parks’ stress-alleviation potential

Previous research suggests that perceived setting interdependencies (PSI) affect human-environment interactions, impacting restorative experiences in the leisure time settings. However, the relationship between the environmental elements of urban parks, PSI, and their effects on cognitive restoration remains unclear. This research examined the relationship between the PSI experienced by urban park users and their feelings of "being away" and "fascination," particularly in the context of stress. The study analysed data from 435 park users in Bangkok using structural equation modelling. Findings indicated that park features, such as biodiversity and amenities, influenced PSI, impacting stress recovery. High PSI negatively influenced stress recovery, suggesting the detrimental effects of environmental overlap. Contrary to the attention restoration theory, being away negatively correlated with stress recovery, while fascination positively impacted being away and stress recovery. The study suggests that urban park designs should minimize PSI and include fascinating features to effectively facilitate psychological restoration and stress recovery.