Title
Why is nature beneficial? The role of connectedness to nature
Abstract
Three studies examine the effects of exposure to nature on positive affect and ability to reflect on a life problem. Participants spent 15 min walking in a natural setting (Studies 1, 2, & 3), an urban setting (Study 1), or watching videos of natural and urban settings (Studies 2 & 3). In all three studies, exposure to nature increased connectedness to nature, attentional capacity, positive emotions, and ability to reflect on a life problem; these effects are more dramatic for actual nature than for virtual nature. Mediational analyses indicate that the positive effects of exposure to nature are partially mediated by increases in connectedness to nature and are not mediated by increases in attentional capacity. The discussion focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the exposure to nature/well-being effects.
Repository Citation
Mayer, Stephan, C.M. Frantz, E. Bruehlman-Senecal, and K. Dolliver. 2009. "Why is nature beneficial? The role of connectedness to nature." Environment And Behavior 41(5): 607-643.
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Publication Date
9-1-2009
Publication Title
Environment And Behavior
Department
Psychology
Additional Department
Environmental Studies
Document Type
Article
DOI
https://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0013916508319745
Notes
Record for C. Frantz. Additional record for S. Mayer: https://digitalcommons.oberlin.edu/faculty_schol/2492/
Keywords
Connectedness to nature, Attentional capacity, Positive affect, Ability to reflect
Language
English
Format
text
