Ana-Maria Dumitrescu
Babeș-Bolyai University
Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences
Department of Psychology
Senior Lecturer
Cluj-Napoca, Romania
ORCID: 0000-0017-9743-0961
Keywords: psychological well-being, adolescents, recreational spaces, urban environment, school students, mental health, environmental psychology, stress reduction
Abstract
The article examines the role of recreational spaces in supporting the psychological well-being of secondary school students in Bucharest. Drawing on environmental psychology, developmental psychology, and stress-reduction theories, the study explores how access to parks, green areas, and informal leisure environments influences adolescents’ mental health in an urban context. International research highlights that adolescents living in large cities are exposed to increased psychological risks, including academic pressure, environmental stressors, and reduced opportunities for restorative experiences. In Romania, rapid urbanization and uneven distribution of recreational infrastructure have intensified these challenges, particularly for school-aged populations. The article analyzes theoretical perspectives and empirical findings indicating that recreational spaces contribute to emotional regulation, stress recovery, social interaction, and overall psychological resilience. It argues that the lack of accessible and well-designed recreational environments negatively affects students’ mental well-being, leading to higher levels of anxiety, emotional exhaustion, and social withdrawal. The study concludes that integrating recreational space planning into educational and urban policy is essential for promoting sustainable psychological well-being among secondary school students in Bucharest.
Introduction
Psychological well-being during adolescence is a crucial determinant of healthy development, academic success, and social integration. This developmental stage is characterized by heightened emotional sensitivity, identity formation, and increased exposure to social and academic demands. In contemporary societies, concerns about adolescents’ mental health have intensified, particularly in urban environments where structural and environmental stressors are more pronounced.
Bucharest, as the capital and largest metropolitan area of Romania, presents a complex setting for adolescent development. While offering extensive educational opportunities, the city also exposes students to overcrowding, noise pollution, academic competition, and limited access to natural and recreational spaces. These conditions raise significant questions regarding the availability of protective factors that can mitigate psychological stress among secondary school students.
Recreational spaces — such as public parks, green areas, schoolyards, and community leisure facilities — are increasingly recognized as important environmental resources for mental health. Within the framework of environmental psychology, such spaces are viewed not merely as physical locations but as contexts that support psychological restoration, social interaction, and emotional balance. This article aims to examine the role of recreational spaces in the psychological well-being of secondary school students in Bucharest, with particular attention to the mechanisms through which these environments influence mental health.
Main Part. Psychological well-being is a multidimensional construct encompassing emotional stability, positive self-perception, life satisfaction, and the ability to cope effectively with stress. During adolescence, psychological well-being is especially sensitive to environmental influences, as young people are still developing coping strategies and emotional regulation skills. Urban environments, while rich in opportunities, often impose psychological demands that exceed adolescents’ adaptive capacities.
Environmental psychology provides a theoretical foundation for understanding the relationship between recreational spaces and mental health. The Stress Reduction Theory posits that exposure to natural environments produces immediate psychophysiological benefits, including reduced stress levels and improved mood. Similarly, the Attention Restoration Theory suggests that natural and recreational settings facilitate cognitive recovery by allowing individuals to disengage from directed attention demands. For adolescents, whose daily lives are dominated by academic tasks and digital stimuli, such restorative experiences are particularly important.
In Bucharest, access to recreational spaces is characterized by significant spatial inequalities. Central districts tend to offer greater availability of parks and green areas, whereas peripheral neighborhoods often lack well-maintained recreational infrastructure. This uneven distribution has psychological implications for students, as those living in areas with limited access to green spaces report higher levels of stress and emotional fatigue. Empirical studies conducted in Romania indicate that adolescents in densely populated urban zones are more vulnerable to anxiety, irritability, and psychosomatic symptoms, partly due to environmental deprivation.
Academic stress represents another critical factor affecting adolescents’ psychological well-being. Secondary school students in Bucharest face high academic expectations, standardized examinations, and competitive educational environments. These pressures contribute to chronic stress, which, if left unmitigated, may lead to burnout and emotional disengagement. Recreational spaces function as psychological buffers by providing opportunities for relaxation, physical activity, and emotional release. However, many schools lack adequately designed outdoor environments that support informal recreation and stress recovery.
Social interaction is a central component of adolescent psychological development, and recreational spaces play a key role in facilitating peer relationships. Informal leisure environments enable adolescents to engage in unstructured social activities, develop communication skills, and experience a sense of belonging. In contrast, limited access to such spaces may increase reliance on digital communication and screen-based activities, which have been associated with elevated levels of anxiety and reduced emotional well-being. In the urban context of Bucharest, the scarcity of safe and accessible recreational areas restricts opportunities for meaningful social engagement among students.
The psychological impact of recreational spaces extends beyond individual well-being to include broader social and emotional outcomes. Regular access to green and leisure environments has been linked to improved self-esteem, reduced aggression, and enhanced emotional regulation. These benefits are particularly relevant for adolescents navigating identity formation and social pressures. In schools where recreational spaces are integrated into the daily routine, students demonstrate higher levels of engagement and emotional resilience.
The COVID-19 pandemic further highlighted the psychological importance of recreational spaces. Periods of restricted mobility and school closures intensified feelings of isolation and emotional distress among adolescents. In Romania, post-pandemic assessments revealed increased rates of anxiety and depressive symptoms among secondary school students. The absence of accessible outdoor spaces during lockdown periods underscored the role of recreational environments as essential resources for mental health rather than optional amenities.
Despite growing recognition of these issues, recreational space planning in Bucharest remains largely disconnected from educational and mental health policies. Urban development strategies often prioritize infrastructure and housing, while the psychological needs of adolescents receive limited attention. Schools are rarely involved in urban planning processes, resulting in missed opportunities to create environments that support students’ psychological well-being.
Conclusion
The psychological well-being of secondary school students in Bucharest is closely linked to the availability, accessibility, and quality of recreational spaces. These environments serve as vital psychological resources that support stress reduction, emotional balance, and social development in adolescence. The analysis demonstrates that insufficient access to recreational spaces contributes to increased psychological vulnerability among urban students.
Addressing this issue requires a comprehensive and interdisciplinary approach that integrates psychological research, educational planning, and urban development. Schools, local authorities, and policymakers must collaborate to ensure that recreational environments are recognized as integral components of adolescent mental health promotion. Investment in green spaces, school-based recreational areas, and community leisure facilities can significantly enhance students’ psychological resilience and overall well-being.
Ultimately, promoting recreational spaces is not merely an urban or educational concern but a mental health imperative. In the context of Bucharest, creating supportive environments for adolescents is essential for fostering a generation capable of coping with the psychological demands of modern urban life.
References
- Evans, G. W. (2019). Projected behavioral impacts of environmental stressors on children. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 423–447.
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- OECD. (2021). Mental health and well-being of adolescents. OECD Publishing.
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- WHO. (2022). Adolescent mental health in urban environments. World Health Organization.