Mental health as context rather than health outcome of noise: competing hyptheses regarding the role of sensitivity, perceived soundscapes and restoration

摘要

Evidence on the effects of environmental noise on mental health in adults and children over the past 5 year's leans towards the conclusion that there is no immediate relationship between noise and formal psychological disorders. Recent results shed more light on the relationship between noise and mental health, and especially on the role of mediating factors. Increasing attention for the association between environmental sensitivity and mental health can be notified. A few studies position the relationship between noise and mental health in a broader context of soundscapes and environmental quality. Finally, there is growing attention for the restorative function of quiet areas where mental health effects are concerned. People with psychological problems might be more at risk for detrimental effects of noise via noise sensitivity and environmental sensitivity in general and could thus be considered as a susceptible group with respect to environmental noise. This paper explores a set of competing hypotheses and analyses on the role of environmental sensitivity and mental health in reactions to noise and the dynamics of stress, quiet and restoration in view of these.