Introduction&Purpose: A growing body of research shows that contact with nature brings numerous benefits for human functioning, especially regarding psychological wellbeing. Contact with nature has been shown to lower stress levels, improve coping and regulation of emotions, and increase general wellbeing. However, the mechanisms of this relationship are still largely unknown. In order to address this gap, we propose a theoretical model including two mediators in the nature-wellbeing link: nature connectedness and emotion regulation.
Nature connectedness - an affective bond with the natural world - has been associated with higher life satisfaction and eudaimonic wellbeing. Emotion regulation, which relates to the ability to manage emotional states and expressions, is a well-established factor in reducing anxiety and depression. Within our positive psychology framework, wellbeing is conceptualized in a comprehensive manner, including anxiety, depression, stress, life satisfaction, sleep quality, psychological functioning, and physical health.
Method: In two large-scale studies involving Polish national representative samples (N=1038; N=2668), we tested mediation models where nature connectedness and emotion regulation strategies mediated the association between contact with nature and wellbeing. The participants filled out questionnaires assessing the amount of contact with nature, nature connectedness, emotion regulation strategies, and indicators of wellbeing.
Results: The results show how nature connectedness and emotion regulation strategies differentially affect the relationship between contact with nature and various aspects of wellbeing. Among others, the results indicate that the relationship between contact with nature and general wellbeing is mediated by nature connectedness, while adaptive emotion regulation strategies mediate the effects on symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Conclusions: This research enhances our understanding of the nature-wellbeing association by exploring the mechanisms involved in this complex relationship. In times of increasing urbanization and mental health crisis, research advancing our understanding of the human-nature interactions is crucial for the development of evidence-based interventions and informed urban planning.