Evaluating the Impact of Living Plant Architectural Spaces on Regulating Emotions by Using the Profile of Mood State Scale.

With the acceleration of urbanization, there has been a growing focus on health concerns, particularly mental health. Multiple prior studies have shown a correlation between urban green space, architecture, green plants, and human health. Living plant architecture, which integrates architectural elements with green plants, possesses the defining features of both and represents a burgeoning manifestation of urban green spaces. It has the characteristics of improving the regional environment, reducing building energy consumption, and achieving sustainable development. Currently, few studies focus on the connection between living plant architecture and human emotional regulation. This research investigated the impact of three distinct architectural environments on emotional regulation: traditional architectural spaces, traditional buildings covered by plants, and living plant architectural spaces. All experimental sites were located in Wenjiang District, Chengdu, China. A total of 90 participants were randomly allocated into three groups, each consisting of 30 individuals (15 males and 15 females). Each subject was required to complete the spatial experience of a single site independently, and the duration of the experience was 15 min. The length of the spatial experience was the same for each group. During this period, the subjects were permitted to ambulate within the area and enjoy the scenery, but they were prohibited from engaging in strenuous physical activity. The subjects completed the Profile of Mood States questionnaire before and after the experiment, and the results were used as an indicator of the subjects' emotional state. The results revealed that the living plant architectural space had the strongest effect on emotional regulation, with the order of living plant architectural space > plant-covered traditional architectural space > traditional architectural space. With a larger sample size, the results of this experiment would be more scientific, rigorous and objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]