Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health

Long-distance walking is an ancient activity practiced across cultures for many reasons, including the improvement of one’s health. It has even been suggested that long-distance walking may be considered a form of psychotherapy. This scoping review examined the relationship between long-distance wal...

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Main Authors: Martin Mau, Anders Aaby, Søren Harnow Klausen, Kirsten Kaya Roessler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-07-01
Series:International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7741
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spelling doaj-e5e46a5d240940b48cb99b7498a0be3b2021-08-06T15:22:31ZengMDPI AGInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health1661-78271660-46012021-07-01187741774110.3390/ijerph18157741Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental HealthMartin Mau0Anders Aaby1Søren Harnow Klausen2Kirsten Kaya Roessler3Department of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkDepartment of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkDepartment for the Study of Culture, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkDepartment of Psychology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230 Odense, DenmarkLong-distance walking is an ancient activity practiced across cultures for many reasons, including the improvement of one’s health. It has even been suggested that long-distance walking may be considered a form of psychotherapy. This scoping review examined the relationship between long-distance walking and mental health among adults. Publication trends and definitions were also examined, and the reason why long-distance walking may have therapeutic effects was discussed. Systematic searches in three online databases were performed using a selection of long-distance walking terms. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included if they examined associations between long-distance walking and mental health in an adult population. Mental health was conceptualized in broad terms, including descriptions of mental states as well as more specific measurements or notions of mental health. A total of 8557 records were screened and 26 studies were included, out of which 15 were quantitative, 9 were qualitative, and 2 were mixed. The findings showed that long-distance walking was positively related to mental health. This was most consistent with regard to emotional distress compared to somewhat inconsistent findings regarding well-being. Therefore, long-distance walking may be more appropriately used to counter some personal or emotional struggle rather than to achieve hedonic pleasure.https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7741long-distance walkinghikingpilgrimagephysical activitywalkingmental health
collection DOAJ
language English
format Article
sources DOAJ
author Martin Mau
Anders Aaby
Søren Harnow Klausen
Kirsten Kaya Roessler
spellingShingle Martin Mau
Anders Aaby
Søren Harnow Klausen
Kirsten Kaya Roessler
Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
long-distance walking
hiking
pilgrimage
physical activity
walking
mental health
author_facet Martin Mau
Anders Aaby
Søren Harnow Klausen
Kirsten Kaya Roessler
author_sort Martin Mau
title Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health
title_short Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health
title_full Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health
title_fullStr Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health
title_full_unstemmed Are Long-Distance Walks Therapeutic? A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health
title_sort are long-distance walks therapeutic? a systematic scoping review of the conceptualization of long-distance walking and its relation to mental health
publisher MDPI AG
series International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
issn 1661-7827
1660-4601
publishDate 2021-07-01
description Long-distance walking is an ancient activity practiced across cultures for many reasons, including the improvement of one’s health. It has even been suggested that long-distance walking may be considered a form of psychotherapy. This scoping review examined the relationship between long-distance walking and mental health among adults. Publication trends and definitions were also examined, and the reason why long-distance walking may have therapeutic effects was discussed. Systematic searches in three online databases were performed using a selection of long-distance walking terms. Both quantitative and qualitative studies were included if they examined associations between long-distance walking and mental health in an adult population. Mental health was conceptualized in broad terms, including descriptions of mental states as well as more specific measurements or notions of mental health. A total of 8557 records were screened and 26 studies were included, out of which 15 were quantitative, 9 were qualitative, and 2 were mixed. The findings showed that long-distance walking was positively related to mental health. This was most consistent with regard to emotional distress compared to somewhat inconsistent findings regarding well-being. Therefore, long-distance walking may be more appropriately used to counter some personal or emotional struggle rather than to achieve hedonic pleasure.
topic long-distance walking
hiking
pilgrimage
physical activity
walking
mental health
url https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/15/7741
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