No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
The impacts of nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health
Abstract
Scholars spanning a variety of disciplines have studied the ways in which contact with natural environments may impact human well-being. We review the effects of such nature experience on human cognitive function and mental health, synthesizing work from environmental psychology, urban planning, the medical literature, and landscape aesthetics. We provide an overview of the prevailing explanatory theories of these effects, the ways in which exposure to nature has been considered, and the role that individuals' preferences for nature may play in the impact of the environment on psychological functioning. Drawing from the highly productive but disparate programs of research in this area, we conclude by proposing a system of categorization for different types of nature experience. We also outline key questions for future work, including further inquiry into which elements of the natural environment may have impacts on cognitive function and mental health; what the most effective type, duration, and frequency of contact may be; and what the possible neural mechanisms are that could be responsible for the documented effects.
... From a morning forest that makes us feel refreshed to a sunset beach that puts us in a mellow mood, nature experiences strongly influence how we feel, think, and behave (Bratman et al., 2012). Nature experiences play a crucial role in people's physical, psychological, and social well-being (Bratman et al., 2012;Grigsby-Toussaint et al., 2015;Li et al., 2008). ...
... From a morning forest that makes us feel refreshed to a sunset beach that puts us in a mellow mood, nature experiences strongly influence how we feel, think, and behave (Bratman et al., 2012). Nature experiences play a crucial role in people's physical, psychological, and social well-being (Bratman et al., 2012;Grigsby-Toussaint et al., 2015;Li et al., 2008). In this paper, the term "nature experience" refers to dynamic interactions (e.g., visual, auditory, or haptic) with elements of living systems (e.g., plants, sunlight, or water bodies) (Bratman et al., 2012). ...
... Nature experiences play a crucial role in people's physical, psychological, and social well-being (Bratman et al., 2012;Grigsby-Toussaint et al., 2015;Li et al., 2008). In this paper, the term "nature experience" refers to dynamic interactions (e.g., visual, auditory, or haptic) with elements of living systems (e.g., plants, sunlight, or water bodies) (Bratman et al., 2012). Nature experiences can bring positive effects on health outcomes, such as enhancing sleep quality (Grigsby-Toussaint et al., 2015), pain control (Lechtzin et al., 2010), and immune system functioning (Li et al., 2008), while alleviating stress (Ulrich et al., 1991), anxiety (Bratman et al., 2015), aggression (Bogar & Beyer, 2016), depression (Gascon et al., 2015), and loneliness (Maas et al., 2009), with many of these benefits stemming from the relaxation facilitated by nature experiences (Bratman et al., 2015;Lechtzin et al., 2010;Li et al., 2008;Ulrich et al., 1991). ...
Nature experiences, especially the visual aspects of nature, have been widely used to facilitate relaxation. Fueled by digital technology, simulated visual nature experiences have gained popularity in creating healing environments that induce relaxation. However, while easily applicable, not all nature-imitating visuals lead to relaxation. How to effectively design relaxing visual nature experiences remains largely unexplored. This paper investigates how different nature qualities facilitate relaxing visual experiences and the roles of two personal characteristics (mood and nature-relatedness) play. Through an online survey and interviews, we assessed 16 nature video clips, representing eight distinctive nature qualities, and compared perceived experiences while considering the influence of personal characteristics. The results indicate four types of visual qualities (engaging, instinctive, ambient, and derivative) underlying nature-induced relaxation, and show that nature relatedness influences the degree to which nature video clips elicit relaxation. We discuss design implications for creating personalized digital nature.
... In the vast, subsequent literature on biophilia, the main prediction that is tested is the idea that biophilia can increase individual meaning and personal fulfillment (see Bratman et al., 2012;Wells & Rollings, 2012;Hartig et al., 2014;Capaldi et al., 2015;Chawla, 2015;Hall & Knuth, 2019a, 2019b, 2019c, 2020. However, for this prediction, and in some cases, for all five predictions, biophilia is defined (either directly or indirectly) as an attraction to nature. ...
... In the majority of the literature mentioning biophilia, including most contributing authors to The Biophilia Hypothesis "life or lifelike processes" is used interchangeably with nature. Nature can be as broadly defined as "areas containing elements of living systems that include plants and nonhuman animals across a range of scales and degrees of human management, from a small urban park through to "pristine wilderness" (Bratman et al., 2012). ...
E.O. Wilson proposed the concept of biophilia as “the innately emotional affiliation of human beings with other living organisms.” While the idea has gained traction in diverse fields, including architecture and horticulture, the few empirical tests of the biophilia hypothesis are either inconclusive or fail to provide support. This paper reviews fundamental flaws in Wilson's biophilia hypothesis and proposes “the Biophilia Reactivity Hypothesis”: biophilia as a temperament trait, a theory that offers a falsifiable version of Wilson’s original concept.
... Yet, whether these visual aspects are related to low-level or high-level sensory processing (e.g. 11 ) or to factors such as aesthetics 12 , visual discomfort (e.g. 13 ), memories or scene-related semantics 14 , remains unclear and a matter of increased research focus [15][16][17] . ...
... This opens a new promising way to investigate individual visual aspects for their contribution to increased cognitive load for urban scenes or decreased cognitive load for nature scenes 8,9 . (Please note that we are only interested in relative differences in cognitive load between environments, and not whether any differences found are due to a nature benefit or to an urban cost 12 ). ...
Exposure to images of urban environments affords higher cognitive processing demands than exposure to images of nature scenes; an effect potentially related to differences in low-level image statistics such as fractals. The aim of the current study was to investigate whether the fractal dimensions of an abstract scene affect cognitive processing demands, using gait kinematics as a measure of cognitive demand. Participants (n = 40) were asked to walk towards different types of synthetic images which were parametrically varied in their fractal dimensions. At the end of each walk, participants rated each image for its visual discomfort (n = 20) or for its likability (n = 20) as potential confounding factors. Fractal dimensions were predictors of walking speed. Moreover, the interaction between fractal dimensions and subjective visual discomfort but not liking predicted velocity. Overall, these data suggest that fractal dimensions indeed contribute to environmentally induced cognitive processing demands.
... The data on urban greenness is based on MODND1M, a synthetic product of the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) from the Computer Network Information Center, Chinese Academy of Sciences 1 . NDVI is a dimensionless index that comprehensively reflects vegetation coverage, distribution density, total growth and biomass (Wan & Su, 2016) and is widely used in ecology and public health research (Pettorellin et al., 2005;Bratman, Hamilton, & Daily, 2012). MODND1M is monthly NDVI data from China based on the images of moderateresolution imaging spectrometers mounted on Terra and Aqua satellites. ...
... In contrast, the effect of NDVI in alleviating depression might be significant in cities with a better sense of social fairness. This phenomenon has also been recorded in previous studies, and the possible explanation is that an environment with a higher level of social fairness can stimulate residents' willingness to participate in social interaction in green spaces and forge stronger social capital, thus improving their mental health levels (Bratman, Hamilton & Daily, 2012). ...
... There is a global crisis around mental health (Patel et al., 2007;Tiwari, 2023), in part caused by contemporary challenges to living (Jakovljevic et al., 2020) modern ways of communicating and living (Kelly et al., 2018;Smith and Victor, 2019), and a widespread disconnection with nature and the natural world (Gelsthorpe, 2017). Access to nature has been shown to promote positive wellbeing and alleviate mild depression and anxiety in humans (Bratman et al., 2012;Keenan et al., 2021;Owens and Bunce, 2022;Irvine et al., 2023). As global populations continue to urbanize (United Nations, 2018), causing greater distance between centers of human habitation and wild environments (Cox et al., 2018), managed green and blue spaces (e.g., public parkland and gardens and nature-themed visitor attractions such as zoological collections) become more important to fostering a sense of "being in nature" (Baur and Tynon, 2010;Kellert, 2012;Arbuthnott et al., 2014;Taylor and Duram, 2021). ...
... This approach is similar to that outlined by the World Health Organization, who state that wellbeing is a positive state experienced by individuals and societies, that is important for daily life, and encompasses quality of life and the activities that people can get involved in World Health Organisation (2023). Therefore, enhancing opportunities to be outdoors with nature, and to engage with others whilst undertaking meaningful and fulfilling activities promotes these good feelings and positive physical and mental functions (Nisbet et al., 2011;Bratman et al., 2012;Cudworth and Lumber, 2021), which are the core of wellbeing. ...
Good mental and physical health go hand-in-hand when identifying factors that lead people to experience a better overall quality of life. A growing disconnect to the natural world is worsening the mental health of individuals in many societies. Numerous scientific publications have evidenced that being in nature and access to green and blue spaces positively impact upon humans' physical and mental health. For many people, particularly those living in more urbanized areas, managed natural spaces and borrowed landscapes, such as those found in public parks, wildlife reserves and zoological gardens give the only opportunities for wider engagement with nature. Many zoos are designated green spaces and therefore human visitors can engage with native fauna and flora as well as exotic wild animals. This article reviews the UK Government's "The Five Ways to Wellbeing" concept, applied to zoos and aquariums and thus suggests how zoos and aquariums can use this framework to promote positive nature-connectivity experiences for their visitors and promote good wellbeing. The Five Ways to Wellbeing are Connect, Be active, Take notice, Keep learning, and Give. We illustrate how zoos and aquariums could model their approaches to educational and engagement roles, as well as design initiatives to reach out to local communities via the Five Ways to Wellbeing concept. We show that many of the positive programs and works conducted by zoos and aquariums lend themselves to further engagement with the Five Ways to Wellbeing structure. By taking such a structured approach in the design, implementation and evaluation of their activities, zoos can expand their abilities in connecting humans with nature and further add value to their living collections of animals and plants. By including Wellbeing as a defined aim of the modern zoo, it will be clear to all of those involved in their work, visitors, workers, stakeholders, that zoos are working to promote, protect and preserve positive wellbeing outputs for humans and animals alike.
... Segundo a Teoria da Restauração da Atenção (ART) de Rachel e Stephen Kaplan (1989), para que um ambiente seja considerado restaurador deve conter quatro propriedades essenciais: 1) extensão (imersão na experiência, perceber além do que é percebido); 2) afastamento (fuga das atividades e preocupações habituais); 3) fascinação (aspectos que permitem a captação da atenção sem esforço); e 4) compatibilidade (ser compatível com a subjetividade, identificação com o espaço percebido). Várias configurações podem abranger os aspectos supracitados, mas apenas os naturais mais consistentes incorporam todos simultaneamente (Bratman et al., 2012). Os primeiros hominídeos se mantinham totalmente integrados ao mundo natural, devido a necessidades relativas à sobrevivência. ...
Pesquisas pertinentes apontam que estímulos arquitetônicos contribuem com a restauração do equilíbrio do corpo e, consequentemente, com o bem-estar. Para mais, tais estudos compilam vantagens para o tratamento de pacientes hospitalizados, principalmente, advindas do contato com ambientes naturais, o que pode ser elucidado pela Teoria da Biophilia. Por intermédio de revisão bibliográfica e análise de pesquisas aplicadas em hospitais nacionais e internacionais, extraídas de bases de indexação da produção científica no período de 2000-2020, contatou-se que as áreas verdes em ambiências hospitalares [a] promovem estímulos que potencializam emoções e sentimentos positivos; [b] agem na diminuição dos níveis de estresse e ansiedade; [c] reduzem a dor, a ingestão de analgésicos e o tempo de internação; e [d] aumentam a satisfação do paciente. Com a divulgação destes resultados, almeja-se, além de evidenciar a indispensabilidade de mais estudos a respeito, e da real conexão de disciplinas afins para análise profunda e holística da relação corpo-mente-espaço, indicar perspectivas às ambiências hospitalares.
... Thus, given the dearth of studies concerning the effects of specific spatial elements in educational settings on young children's development, the current study focuses specifically on the extent to which natural views and a larger classroom size, both of which are well It is well known that the greenness of interior spaces, including access to a natural view, indoor plants, and images of nature (e.g., photos, posters), can positively influence human cognition (e.g., attention, memory, creativity) and emotions (e.g., stress reduction or recovery, feelings of comfort) [9,10,[15][16][17][18]. These findings have been theoretically grounded in the stress reduction theory (SRT) [19] and the attention restoration theory (ART) [17,20], both of which concern the positive effects of interacting with nature. ...
Despite the increasing enrollment of young children in childcare institutes, there have been few empirical studies on the effects of spatial elements on their development. This study explored the impact of preschool classroom size (large vs. small) and window view (natural vs. built environment) on young children’s executive functions and physiological stress responses, using cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) as indicators and employing virtual reality (VR) technology. Out of 144 participants aged 61–85 months, three were excluded due to missing values and outliers. Executive function tests were administered, and saliva samples were collected before and after VR exposure; HRV data were gathered during the experience. ANCOVA results indicated significant improvements in cognitive flexibility, as measured based on the Dimensional Change Card Sorting task, in the large classroom condition, and a marginally significant decrease in visuo-spatial working memory, as measured with the Corsi block task, in the small classroom condition. The classroom size conditions did not significantly differ in cortisol response, but the large classroom condition showed marginally significant HRV indices, suggesting increased relaxation. No significant effects on executive functions or physiological responses were found in either window view condition. Overall, the findings suggest that classroom size may influence young children’s cognitive flexibility.
... Urban parks are noted to play important roles in promoting the quality life of urban residents through their health, socio-cultural, environmental and economic benefits (Maas et al. 2009;Hunter et al. 2015;Bratman, Hamilton, and Daily 2012;Hartig et al. 2014;Cohen-Cline, Turkheimer, and Duncan 2015). The extant literature, however, suggests that the number and quality of urban parks in most cities of the global south, particularly Africa, have declined and existing ones have deteriorated (Niine et al. 2020;Asibey et al. 2019;Mensah 2014a;2014b;Quagraine 2011;Adom-Asamoah & Amoako, 2019). ...
Urban parks provide environmental, social and economic benefits to users. A notable model that sought to integrate green spaces and create self-sufficient, healthy and pleasant places to live by combining the best aspects of urban and rural life was the garden city model. This led to the creation of many green areas across many African cities, including Kumasi, Ghana. However, considering the rapid decline and deterioration of urban parks in African cities, a key question being asked by the paper is that: is there decline in urban parks and their usage because users are not satisfied with them and thus do not patronise them? Premised on this, this paper examines the factors that influence the satisfaction and patronage of the Rattray Park in Nhyiaeso, commissioned in 2015 and remains the only functional recreational and urban green park in the city of Kumasi. Data was obtained from 237 park users along four indicators, namely (i) sociability, (ii) user and activities, (iii) accessibility and linkage and (iv) comfort and image. The results showed sociability as the most significant factor which influenced users' satisfaction and patronage of the park, i.e. users were more concerned about the provision of facilities for recreation and socialisation. The major contribution of this paper is that sustaining urban parks will happen when there are conscious attempts by relevant stakeholders to identify, appreciate and understand the varying needs of users. This study further contributes to better understanding the garden city model and provides some suggestions to improve upon the quality and patronage of parks. ARTICLE HISTORY
... When satisfied, a virtuous mechanism with positive psychophysical effects and increased global well-being is triggered [57,58]. Moreover, a large body of studies highlights the positive impact of a natural environment on emotional well-being and global cognitive functioning [59,60]. Typically, hiking is performed in a more natural and immersive setting than gentle gymnastics. ...
Background: The increase in average life expectancy necessitates the identification of possible mechanisms capable of promoting “active aging” to ensure adequate levels of global functioning. Numerous studies show that regular physical activity promotes, even in the elderly, a state of functional psychophysical well-being capable of slowing down age-related cognitive decline. This study aimed to clarify whether, and how, the intensity of physical activity can modulate cognitive and executive skills by influencing specific psychological variables. Methods: Our sample consisted of 151 senior subjects divided into hikers (HIK), gentle gymnastics (GYM), and sedentary (SED), who practice intense, moderate, and reduced physical activity, respectively. A battery of psychological questionnaires was administrated to evaluate attentional skills, decision-making, the ability to implement targeted behaviors, perceived self-efficacy, and psychophysical well-being. We included: the Mini-Mental State Examination, Cognitive Reserve Index Questionnaire, General Self-Efficacy Scale, Letter Cancellation Test, Everyday Competence Questionnaire, and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS). Results: Comparisons between the scores reported by the three groups showed that the HIK group differs from the others with respect to most of the measurements, presenting better mood and cognitive performance, and a specific psychological profile. On the contrary, the GYM group appeared to have a greater affinity with the SED group than with the HIK group, both cognitively and psychologically. Conclusions: Types of physical activity, as well as the intensity and frequency with which they are practiced, are factors that promote an active aging process, protecting the psychophysical well-being and overall cognitive functioning of the elderly.
... This is inspired by decades of research and a multitude of ancient knowledge that underscores the importance of a healthy natural environment in healing and recovery (e.g. Bratman, Hamilton & Daily, 2012;Jonas, 2018). A return to an ecologically attuned, community spirit is at the heart of future development in mental health services, in health services and in our broader society (e.g. ...
Download from: https://explore.bps.org.uk/content/bpscpf/1/369
The Republic of Ireland is introducing major human rights-based reform to its mental health laws. This paper outlines the new legal landscape in which psychologists must operate against the backdrop of present-day effects of Ireland’s dark legacy of institutionalisation. A rights-based approach aims to positively transform mental health service delivery and we advocate for person-centred treatments as the ‘new normal’. We summarise the recent advocacy work undertaken by the Psychological Society of Ireland’s Special Interest Group in Human Rights & Psychology. Finally, we present an innovative best practice case promoting future rights-based delivery via the Socio-Ecological Model of Health – Kyrie Farm.
... Here we consider nature-based interventions that involve people taking part in an activity outdoors in nature, often alongside a facilitator and/or other participants (Shanahan et al. 2019). Being in nature, carrying out a particular activity and/or being with others might create experiences that directly improve people's health and wellbeing (Bratman et al. 2012;Kuo 2015;Bratman et al. 2019) (Figure 1 and Box 1). Nature-based interventions might also help people to learn new skills and change their behaviour and choices in ways that improve their health and wellbeing (Shanahan et al. 2019). ...
Nature-based interventions are organised outdoor activities that aim to improve people's health through engaging with nature. These interventions are increasingly being offered through green social prescribing, where link workers support people to access activities that 'matter to them'. • Identifying reliable and accessible research evidence about the effectiveness of nature-based interventions can be difficult for providers, health professionals, link workers and service users. • We summarise evidence from 12 recent systematic reviews of studies of nature-based interventions. • We have also created an online interactive version of this evidence review. • The headline finding from the reviews is that taking part in nature-based interventions can be beneficial for a range of mental health problems and also boosts social interactions. • Few studies have evaluated the impact of nature-based interventions on physical health or physical health risk factors, and the evidence is more equivocal. • The reviews judged that the majority of the studies had a moderate to high risk of bias because of the study design, such as the way participants were selected. • Most studies concentrated on evaluating short term outcomes only. • There is little evidence about how the quality of green and blue spaces might contribute to the effectiveness of nature-based interventions. • The optimum intensity and duration of nature-based activities is still uncertain. • There is no strong evidence about whether particular nature-based interventions are more beneficial for particular populations. • Nature-based interventions incorporate multiple interacting elements, but this complexity is rarely described or evaluated.
... The connection between diversity and a sense of liveliness and cheerfulness stands in contrast to other research that did not find a connection to psychological benefits (Bratman et al., 2012). ...
Introduction: The effects of spending time in forests have been subject to
investigations in various countries around the world. Qualitative comparisons
have been rarely done so far.
Methods: Sixteen healthy highly sensitive persons (SV12 score ≥ 18) aged between
18 and 70 years were randomly assigned to groups spending 1 h in the forest and
in the field at intervals of one week. Semi-structured interviews were conducted
after each intervention and analyzed using a mixed-methods approach of content
analysis and grounded theory.
Results: Both natural environments induced feelings of inner calmness, inner
cleansing, joy, freedom, connectedness, strengthening qualities, and heightened
body awareness. The forest environment additionally offered emotional shelter,
and showed advantages in promoting inner strength and self-concentration.
Discussion: People with previous negative experiences in the forest may
feel safer in fields because of the wider view and better overview. Important
preconditions are enough time and the absence of a judgmental authority. The
two environments induced in part different but also similar emotions which might
be useful to promote psychological well-being differentially.
... Research investigating the effect of nature on mental health has revealed robust benefits to viewing and spending time in natural environments, such as outdoor parks, nature reserves, and national parks (Astell-Birt et al., 2023;Roberts et al., 2022). Being in nature is associated with improvements in individual mood and impulse inhibition, reduced physiological stress, and both short-and long-term positive effects noted on depression and anxiety (Bratman et al., 2012;Jimenez et al., 2021). Iwasaki et al. (2017) propound that engagement in leisure inspires strength and a deeper sense of meaning for individuals living with mental illness. ...
Goal-setting is a tool that empowers consumer recovery. Though the pandemic has affected consumer goal-setting, the nature and extent of this impact have not been examined in a recovery setting. The aim of this study is to assess whether the recovery goals of individuals with serious mental illness changed in association with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this mixed-methods design, data were collected from a purposeful sample of consumers (nTOTAL = 355) aged 19-67 years (MAGE = 44.56, SD = 13.05) attending Recovery Camp, a 5-day therapeutic-recreation programme for individuals living with severe mental illness (e.g., PTSD, schizophrenia). Consumer-set goals were examined across 5 programmes prior to March 2020 (nPRE = 126) and 11 following (nPOST = 229). Goals were set on day one, with attainment self-scored on day five. Chi-squared goodness-of-fit tests compared goal proportions per domain; tests of independence assessed changes in goals pre- and post-pandemic. Six goal domains were identified: Approach-Based Recovery, Avoidance-based Recovery, Novel Physical Activities, Relationships, Health, and Recreation/Relaxation. Irrespective of the pandemic, goal attainment was consistently high across all programmes (86.56%). Approach-based Recovery goals were predominant pre-pandemic, but were significantly reduced post-pandemic (p = 0.040). Goals related to Relationships and Novel Physical Activities took precedence throughout the pandemic. Post-COVID-19, consumer recovery goals reveal increased desire for connection, novelty-seeking, and positive behavioural change.
... Mental health in this study is defined by the World Health Organization [59]. The mental health of a person must include two conditions: (1) the lack of mental illness symptoms and (2) the presence of well-being [8]. This study included depression, anxiety, stress, and distress as mental illness and life satisfaction as the presentative of well-being. ...
Emotional intelligence improves mental health and reduces the risk of mental disorders, especially among youth. Therefore, basic studies about emotional intelligence and its correlation with mental health in students are necessary for Vietnam to fulfill the overall picture of emotional intelligence and mental health. It also provides theoretical and practical evidence for developing intervention studies related to emotional intelligence in the future. This study was conducted among 484 Hue university students. Findings show that the prevalence of students with symptoms of depression, anxiety, stress, and distress was relatively high. Emotional intelligence is strongly negatively correlated and could predict depression, anxiety, stress, and distress. Emotional intelligence also positively correlated with and predicted life satisfaction among participants in this study. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future investigation are discussed.
... Наличие зелени и набережной с выходом к водной акватории в ДВФУ положительно влияют на эмоциональное состояние студентов. О благоприятном воздействии озеленения и растительности на кампусе университета на психическое здоровье говорят результаты многочисленных исследований [Lee, Maheswaran, 2011;Bratman et al., 2012;Triguero-Mas et al., 2015]. ...
The development of the project on creating world-class campuses in Russia heated debates on the topic of the university campus and the educational experience of students. Although it has become extremely relevant, but it remains understudied. This research is aimed at the formation of an understanding of the educational paradigm of modern Russian universities as well as the investigation of the relationship between the university space and the educational experience of students using the example of the Far Eastern Federal University (FEFU), which is a unique case among Russian universities due to its exceptional location and infrastructure. Building on the concept of Beckers and his colleagues’ theory "Purpose - Process - Place," a deductive analysis of 39 semi-structured interviews with FEFU students collected in 2022 was carried out. The study showed that higher education is undergoing a transition from a traditional behavioristic approach to social constructivism, which is manifested in the request for greater freedom in choosing not only what students should study, but when and how. The results of the study show that the educational process has moved beyond the classroom, and the educational environment has become an integral part of the educational experience of students. The results suggest that students have a need not only for learning spaces, but also for places where they can restore their resources. Thus, green spaces on the campus and an embankment with access to the water area have a favorable effect on the emotional state of students. At the same time co-workings and coffee shops can foster more productive learning. However, the location of the campus, its isolation from the mainland and its own rules of behavior and communication, forms in some students the perception of the campus as a “luxury prison” with a comfortable infrastructure but difficult to escape from. This is especially felt during the exams, when the emotional overload of students reaches peak points. The results can be useful for Russian universities participating in the project on creating world-class campuses and for researchers who study the educational environment.
... In the context of development of school, researchers establish that natural exposure indicates optimal student learning and wellness (Corazon et al., 2019). When interventions are introduced in early childhood by exposing children to activity in natural places, their cognitive outcomes were observed to increase (playgrounds, gardens, and woodlands) (Bratman et al., 2012;Corazon et al., 2019). Hence, ecotherapy could be utilized in urban school settings to enhance educational benefits and holistic development. ...
The following research is a review paper to determine what neurobiological changes occur during ecotherapy that impacts our behavior and what are its implications over urbanization. The research utilizes the selection of relevant literature across databases on the basis of their applicability in Indian context and publication date not exceeding beyond 10 years. The analysis of the 11 research articles reviewed reveals that the practice of ecotherapy has the positive impact on the brain by improving cognitive functions, attention span, inducing more relaxation and emotional wellness on a physiological level. Urbanization, on the other hand, has been documented to negatively impact cognitive function, response behavior, attentional tasks and metabolic processes due to excessive exposure to urban determinants. Therefore it can be concluded that eco therapeutic interventions can have positive impact and elicit improvement in psychological and physiological determinants of health and well-being.
... While causal relationships between gray space, brain development, and mental health among youth are not well understood, it is posited that access to nature may be a buffer against the development of mental illness via a decrease in rumination by reducing the biological stress response (Bratman et al., 2012;Dadvand et al., 2012, Sudimac et al., 2022. Furthermore, increased access to green space can provide more social opportunities and lead to a reduction in cortisol and a decrease in blood pressure, which can in turn improve emotion regulation and other mental health concerns including anxiety, depression, and stress coping (Fan et al., 2011;Cohen-Cline et al., 2015). ...
Introduction: Aspects of the built environment relate to health factors and equity in living conditions, and may contribute to racial, ethnic, or economic health disparities. For example, urbanicity is linked with negative factors including exposure to gray space (e.g., impervious surfaces such as concrete, streets, or rooftops). While there is existing research on access to green space and urbanicity on some mental health and cognitive outcomes, there is limited research on the presence of gray space linked with cognitive functioning in youth. The goal of this study was to investigate the link between gray space and amygdala-default mode network (DMN) connectivity.
Methods: This study used data from the ABCD Study. Participants (n = 10,144; age M = 119.11 months, female = 47.62%) underwent resting-state fMRI acquisition at baseline. Impervious surfaces (gray space) were measured via the Child Opportunity Index (COI). To examine the relationship between presence of gray space and-amygdala-DMN (left/right) connectivity, we employed linear mixed effects models. Correlations were run between amygdala-DMN connectivity and internalizing and externalizing symptoms. Finally, post hoc sensitivity analyses were run to assess the impact of race.
Results: More gray space, adjusting for age, sex, and neighborhood-level variables, was significantly associated with increased left amygdala-DMN connectivity (p = 0.0001). This association remained significant after sensitivity analyses for race were completed (p = 0.01). No significant correlations were observed between amygdala-DMN and internalizing or externalizing symptoms.
Discussion: Findings suggest gray space was linked with increased left amygdala-DMN connectivity, circuits that have been implicated in affective processing, emotion regulation, and psychopathology. Thus gray space may be related to alterations in connectivity that may enhance risk for emotion dysregulation. Future investigation of these relationships is needed, as neuroimaging findings may represent early dysregulation not yet observed in the behavioral analyses at this age (i.e., the present study did not find significant relationships with parent-reported behavioral outcomes). These findings can help to inform future public policy on improving lived and built environments.
... Distance to urban nature is an important sustainability consideration in SDG 11's aim of providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces 1 . In addition, access to nearby urban nature can be helpful for meeting a range of other SDGs, such as SDG 4 for quality education (e.g., by reducing stress and improving cognitive development), SDG 7 for affordable and clean energy (e.g., by reducing nearby urban temperatures, energy bills, and use of carbon-emitted transportation methods), SDG 9 for industry, innovation, and infrastructure (e.g., by protecting local properties with stormwater management), and SDG 12 for responsible consumption and production (e.g., by providing nearby free and healthy food resources, such as fruit) [1][2][3]18,[40][41][42][43][44][45] . Moreover, travel distance is likely to have become more influential for urban nature visitation during the COVID-19 pandemic due to various lockdown restrictions and/or concerns about virus transmission 17,36,46,47 . ...
Accessible urban nature is a key component of creating sustainable urban communities and promoting human health and well-being. To balance the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, the United Nations adopted several sustainable developmental goals (SDGs), such as SDG 11 for sustainable cities and communities, which aims to improve urban planning and management, including equitable access to urban nature. However, more information is still needed regarding how planners and managers can promote urban nature visitation and equitable access during health and environmental crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in urban nature visitation during the pandemic and then to determine if the effect of the pandemic on the frequency of urban nature site visitation varied by distance to home, using an innovative approach of analyzing both publicly available large-scale mobility data and a web-based survey of urban residents of Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel. The mobility data results showed that there was a negative mean % difference in park visits compared to baseline during the first and third lockdowns, but an increase compared to baseline between lockdowns and even during the second lockdown. This suggests that urban residents had greater need to reconnect with urban nature during and after periods of intense stress. In addition, the survey results showed an increasing negative effect of distance on urban nature site visitation during the pandemic, specifically for urban nature sites located more than 1 km from home. Altogether, the mobility data and survey results suggest that people who lived within 1 km of their preferred urban nature site had disproportionate access to the benefits of urban nature during and after lockdowns than others. To effectively make social and ecological transitions toward urban sustainability, it is vital that cities promote urban nature accessibility during current and future environmental and health crises. Cities should collaborate with diverse stakeholders to create/maintain accessible urban nature sites nearby all sociodemographic groups, provide sustainability education and training to convey the benefits of urban nature, and pursue participatory solutions for understanding urban nature needs and preferences. In this manner, it will be possible to address the growing influence of proximity/travel distance and additional factors that affect urban nature visitation and ultimately, human health and urban sustainability.
... The integration of animals and plants as equal stakeholders in building design, or the creation of habitats for them on building envelopes, can elicit strong emotional and sensory reactions from humans. A growing body of research has shown the positive effects of exposure to nature on human health, well-being, and cognitive function [77]. However, there is also a significant amount of research on the negative influence of animals on human well-being and health, with a focus on companion animals and urban pests (e.g., mice and cockroaches). ...
This perspective paper explores the concept of multispecies design in architecture, focusing on the building scale. Historically, architects prioritized human needs, neglecting nature's integration in urban settings, leading to environmental and social challenges. To address these issues, a new multispecies approach, that promotes the integration of ecological knowledge into architectural design has evolved. This paper aims to map existing concepts, challenges and gaps in this novel multispecies approach focusing on the building scale design process, and suggest a roadmap for its implementation. The paper analyzed existing literature and current architectural practices.. The analysis is complemented by the findings from an architectural design studio that highlight-ed real-world challenges not readily apparent in literature. By promoting a multispecies archi-tectural paradigm, this research not only underscores a transformative approach to building de-sign but also positions multispecies design as an essential strategy in combatting the challenges of declining biodiversity and escalating climate change.
... In recent years, the potential benefits of exposure to greenspace (i.e., natural or semi-natural outdoor area completely or partially covered by vegetation, such as parks, forests, trees, and woodlands [3]) for mental health have gained significant attention [4][5][6], especially for urban dwellers who are more likely to benefit from greenspace (in comparison with those residing in rural areas) as evidenced in a recent review [7]. The promotion of greenspace in urban landscapes may hold the potential to improve health since greenspace offers opportunities to reduce exposure to harmful exposures (e.g., air and noise pollution), restore attentional capacities, and encourage physical activity [8]. ...
There is a growing interest in assessing the benefits of exposure to urban greenspace on mental health due to the increased urbanization of youth and concerns for their mental health. We investigated the prospective associations of residential greenspace in childhood and mental health in adolescence. Use of a well-characterized birth cohort permitted adjustment for a range of potential confounding factors including family and neighborhood characteristics in addition to prior mental health problems, and exploration of moderation effects by sex and family socioeconomic status.
We analyzed longitudinal data collected from 742 urban-dwelling participants of the Quebec Longitudinal Study of Children Development. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) within 250, 500, and 1000 m buffer zones surrounding the home residence was used to indicate childhood exposure to greenspace. Six self-reported mental health problems at 15/17 years were examined using the Mental Health and Social Inadaptation questionnaire: inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity, conduct, depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation.
Childhood urban greenspace was associated with lower inattention problems in both females and males. We observed a 0.14 reduced standard deviation (SD) (β = − 0.14, SE = 0.05, p < 0.01) in relation to an interquartile range (IQR) increase of NDVI (0.15) at the 250 m buffer zone, and similar results were found in 500 m and 1000 m buffer zones. These associations only slightly attenuated after adjustment for individual (sex, childhood mental health), family (family SES, maternal age at birth, parental mental health, family composition), and neighborhood (material and social deprivation) characteristics (β = − 0.13, SE = 0.06, p = 0.03). No association was found for other mental health problems, and no moderation associations of sex or family socioeconomic status were observed.
These findings suggest that increasing residential greenspace in cities may be associated with modest benefits in attentional capacities in youth, necessitating further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.
... E. M. Wood et al. Redlining and urban avifauna 21 Grant 2005, Fuller et al. 2007, Bratman et al. 2012, Russell et al. 2013). This may be especially true in urban ecosystems as experiencing nature has many positive effects on residents' lived experience in cities, ranging from psychological benefits to a commitment to community-based conservation actions (Fuller et al. 2007, Hartig and Kahn 2016, Prévot et al. 2018, Colding et al. 2020). ...
The Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) was a U.S. government-sponsored program initiated in the 1930s to evaluate mortgage lending risk. The program resulted in hand-drawn "security risk" maps intended to grade sections of cities where investment should be focused (greenlined areas) or limited (redlined zones). The security maps have since been widely criticized as being inherently racist and have been associated with high levels of segregation and lower levels of green amenities in cities across the country. Our goal was to explore the potential legacy effects of the HOLC grading practice on birds, their habitat, and the people who may experience them throughout a metropolis where the security risk maps were widely applied, Greater Los Angeles, California (L.A.). We used ground-collected, remotely sensed, and census data and descriptive and predictive modeling approaches to address our goal. Patterns of bird habitat and avian communities strongly aligned with the luxury-effect phenomenon, where green amenities were more robust, and bird communities were more diverse and abundant in the wealthiest parts of L.A. Our analysis also revealed potential legacy effects from the HOLC grading practice. Associations between bird habitat features and avian communities in redlined and greenlined zones were generally stronger than in areas of L.A. that did not experience the HOLC grading, in part because redlined zones, which included some of the poorest locations of L.A., had the highest levels of dense urban conditions (e.g., impervious surface cover), whereas greenlined zones, which included some of the wealthiest areas of the city, had the highest levels of green amenities (e.g., tree canopy cover). The White population of L.A., which constitutes the highest percentage of a racial or ethnic group in greenlined areas, was aligned with a considerably greater abundance of birds affiliated with natural habitat features (e.g., trees and shrubs). Conversely, the Hispanic or Latino population, which is dominant in redlined zones, was positively related to a significantly greater abundance of synanthropic birds, which are species associated with dense urban conditions. Our results suggest that historical redlining and contemporary patterns of income inequality are associated with distinct avifaunal communities and their habitat, which potentially influence the human experience of these components of biodiversity throughout L.A. Redlined zones and low-income residential areas that were not graded by the HOLC can particularly benefit from deliberate urban greening and habitat enhancement projects, which would likely carry over to benefit birds and humans.
... Research on the benefits people obtain from nature has increased over the last decades . The foremost reason is the increasing evidence that interactions with nature are indispensable for human health and well-being (Bratman et al., 2012;Soga and Gaston, 2020). Rural areas, particularly mountain landscapes, represent a vital destination for people to get close to nature, providing space for various physical and social interactions (Richins and Hull, 2016;Schirpke et al., 2018). ...
... The function of every domain is influenced by one or more of the cognitive function classifications. The activities used in memory and cognitive function are frequently similar to the obstacles that people face in daily life (Taylor et al. 2016;Bratman et al. 2012). ...
Although the fundamental reasons for cognitive function disorders have been well documented, little is known about the impact of environmental exposures, such as pesticides, on children’s cognitive function development. This study investigated the effect of exposure to organophosphate pesticides on children’s cognitive function. In order to determine various factors of exposure, hair samples were collected from 114 elementary school children who lived in Boyer–Ahmad County in the province of Kohgiluyeh and Boyer–Ahmad, Iran. A detailed questionnaire was utilized to gather demographic information and exposure profile. Pesticides were detected in hair samples using a gas chromatography–mass spectrometer (GC–MS); also, cognitive function was assessed using the trail–making test (TMT), which was divided into two parts: TMT–part A and TMT–part B. Participants in the study were 10.12 ± 1.440 years old on average. Children in rural areas had higher mean total pesticide concentrations (13.612 ± 22.01 ng/g) than those who lived in the urban areas (1.801 ± 1.32). The results revealed that boys (46.44 s and 92.37 s) completed the TMT–part A and part B tests in less time than girls (54.95 s and 109.82 s), respectively, and showed better performance (2.14) on the cognitive function exam than girls (2.07). Diazinon and TMT–part B were positively correlated (p < 0.05). With the increase in pesticides, there was no discernible difference in cognitive function. Pesticide use throughout a child’s development may affect certain cognitive function indicators. In order to assess causal relationships, group studies and case studies are required because the current research was cross–sectional in nature.
Graphical abstract
... Additionally, mental well-being is also positively impacted. The potential benefits of engaging in certain activities include stress reduction, favorable changes in mood, better control over impulsive behavior, enhanced selfesteem, as well as improvements in the workings of the mind, including those of attention and memory [17]. ...
Abstract
Background Indoor, sedentary lifestyles have disconnected individuals from nature, necessitating interventions to
reestablish this bond. Performing horticultural activities, such as watering houseplants, offers a potential solution. This
study sought to determine how participating in horticulture activities affected adults’ cognitive and emotional moods.
Methods We compared the benefits of watering houseplants (a gardening task) to those of standing while
performing a computer task (a mental task). Chinese participants, aged 20 to 21 years, were recruited; their
physiological and psychological reactions were measured using electroencephalograms, blood pressure assessments,
and psychological assessments.
Results Fifty participants were included. Watering indoor plants significantly reduced blood pressure, without
affecting pulse rate. During the plant watering task as opposed to the mental activity, more dramatic different
patterns of very high alpha and beta brainwave activity were identified. Participants reported increased happiness
following gardening activities.
Conclusions The findings of this study highlight the substantial relaxation benefits, both mental and physical,
associated with the simple act of watering indoor plants
... There is a growing body of evidence for mental health benefits from contact with nature (e.g. Mayer and Frantz 2004;Maller et al. 2006;Nisbet et al. 2011;Bratman et al. 2012) and some for physical health benefits, e.g. blood pressure and general perceived health (Sugiyama et al. 2008;Shanahan et al. 2016) derived from contact with nature. ...
This is modified late draft, published with revisions as:
Barker T. and Fisher J. (2019). Ecosystem health as the basis for human health. Chapter 19 in Selendy J.M.H (editor), Water and Sanitation Related Diseases and the Changing Environment: Challenges, Interventions and Preventive Measures. Second edition, Wiley-Blackwell and Horizon International, Hoboken and Chichester.
... This complexity is due to a high level of heterogeneity in terms of study designs, mental health outcomes, measurement or manipulation of the green space type or characteristic, and geographical spread of the studies. Previous (systematic) reviews have already indicated that this diversity makes drawing solid conclusions for generic green space difficult (Bowler et al., 2010;Bratman et al., 2012;Frumkin et al., 2017;Gascon et al., 2016;Hartig et al., 2014;Houlden et al., 2018;Tillmann, Clark, et al., 2018;Twohig-Bennett & Jones, 2018;Van den Berg et al., 2015;Weeland et al., 2019), but this heterogeneity may prove even more problematic when comparing specific green spaces and characteristics. ...
Green space matters for mental health but is under constant pressure in an increasingly urbanising world. Often there is little space available in cities for green areas, so it is vital to optimise the design and usage of these available green spaces. To achieve this, experts in planning, design and nature conservation need to know which types and characteristics of green spaces are most beneficial for residents' mental health.
A scoping review of studies that compare different green space types and characteristics on mental health was conducted. A total of 215 (experimental, observational and qualitative) papers were included in the scoping review.
This review highlights a high level of heterogeneity in study design, geographical locations, mental health outcomes and green space measures. Few of the included studies were specifically designed to enable direct comparisons between green space types and characteristics (e.g. between parks and forests). The included studies have predominantly experimental research designs looking at the effects of short‐term exposure to green space on short‐term mental health outcomes (e.g. affect and physiological stress). More studies enabled only indirect comparisons, either within the same study or between different studies.
Analysis of the direction of the mental health outcomes (positive, neutral, negative) from exposure to various types and characteristics of green space found positive (i.e. beneficial) effects across all green space types. However, green space characteristics did appear to render more diverse effects on mental health, which is especially the case for vegetation characteristics (e.g. higher vegetation density can be negative for mental health).
The scoping review reveals gaps in the present evidence base, with a specific need for more studies directly comparing green space types and characteristics within the same study. Proposed future research directions include the use of longitudinal research designs focusing on green space characteristics, considering actual exposure and systematically addressing heterogeneity in factors influencing the relation between green spaces and mental health (e.g. type of interaction, user experience).
Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
... A clean environment can be perceived as beautiful as compared to dirty and unkept environment. Past research suggest that beautiful environment contributes to positive emotions (e.g., happiness) [37,38]. This is also due to the fact that beautiful things contribute to the positive awe (e.g., admiration) among consumers [39,40]. ...
... The benefits of feeling calm appear to be intuitively recognized, as evidenced by a global surge in the use of meditation apps during the COVID-19 pandemic (Lerman, 2020). Research suggests potential promise for interventions targeting calm to increase well-being (Sin & Lyubomirsky, 2009), including spending time in nature (Bratman et al., 2012(Bratman et al., , 2019. ...
The COVID-19 pandemic presents challenges to psychological well-being, but how can we predict when people suffer or cope during sustained stress? Here, we test the prediction that specific types of momentary emotional experiences are differently linked to psychological well-being during the pandemic. Study 1 used survey data collected from 24,221 participants in 51 countries during the COVID-19 outbreak. We show that, across countries, well-being is linked to individuals' recent emotional experiences, including calm, hope, anxiety, loneliness, and sadness. Consistent results are found in two age, sex, and ethnicity-representative samples in the United Kingdom (n = 971) and the United States (n = 961) with preregistered analyses (Study 2). A prospective 30-day daily diary study conducted in the United Kingdom (n = 110) confirms the key role of these five emotions and demonstrates that emotional experiences precede changes in well-being (Study 3). Our findings highlight differential relationships between specific types of momentary emotional experiences and well-being and point to the cultivation of calm and hope as candidate routes for well-being interventions during periods of sustained stress. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
This paper proposes an integration of embodied and phenomenological perspectives to understand the restorative capacity of natural environments. It emphasizes the role of embodied simulation mechanisms in evoking positive affects and cognitive functioning. Perceptual symbols play a crucial role in generating the restorative potential in environments, highlighting the significance of the encounter between the embodied individual and the environment. This study reviews Stress Reduction Theory (SRT) and Attention Restoration Theory (ART), finding commonalities in perceptual fluency and connectedness to nature. It also explores a potential model based on physiognomic perception, where the environment’s pervasive qualities elicit an affective response. Restorativeness arises from a direct encounter between the environment’s phenomenal structure and the embodied perceptual processes of individuals. Overall, this integrative approach sheds light on the intrinsic affective value of environmental elements and their influence on human well-being.
There has been significant concern that a loss of access to natural environments, particularly those with varied plants and soil microbes, magnifies personal and public health issues. “Nature-based solutions” (NbS) seek to make use of nature to tackle issues like climate change, health, water resources, food security, and disaster risk reduction. As a result, experts interested in both public and environmental health have advocated a variety of nature-based solutions to promote public health. Despite significant advances in both extent and scale regarding environmental protection, along with biological restoration, natural resource debasement continues, threatening both ecosystem functions and human well-being. The NbS idea is widely understood to include the advantages of ecosystem restoration and rehabilitation, carbon neutrality, enhanced environmental quality, public health and wellness, and proof for such benefits. In regard to climate change action and sustainable resolutions to improve ecosystem resilience and adaptable capability for health systems, NbS as a comprehensive concept might be advantageous.
Currently, with the rising energy consumption bringing about the greenhouse effect, the proposed “double carbon” strategy has significant value. Traditional building temperature control solutions have resulted in a certain amount of wasted energy, but the construction of real-time non-contact human thermal comfort detection can effectively alleviate this situation and realise a ‘people-centred’ intelligent building. Accurate and effective determination of human thermal comfort in intelligent buildings is significant. Human behavioral actions can provide important feedback signals to building heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. However, there is a lack of effective methods for real-time, low-cost, non-contact human thermal discomfort state detection. In this paper, a contactless thermal comfort prediction method based on skeletal keypoints was proposed, which is intended to avoid overcooling and overheating and to improve indoor human environmental satisfaction. The experiment used a questionnaire to select six actions with high confidence levels to produce a dataset on thermal discomfort.The concept of action sequences was proposed and corresponding dataset and pose recognition algorithms were produced. The final experimental results show that the method can improve the robustness of the model and effectively estimate thermal discomfort.
Background:
Improving mental health is recognized as an important factor for achieving global development goals. Despite strong evidence that neighborhood greenery promotes better mental health, there are environmental justice concerns over the distribution of neighborhood greenery. Underlying these concerns are present-day consequences of historical discriminatory financial investment practices, such as redlining which was established by the U.S. Federal Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC) in the 1930s. The impacts of redlining on environmental and health disparities have been researched extensively. However, the influences of redlining on the associations between neighborhood environment and health outcomes have not been fully assessed.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to examine whether associations between residential tree cover and depressive symptoms vary across areas subject to HOLC practices.
Methods:
Depressive symptoms were defined by the 10-item Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale collected during the period 2008-2012 for 3,555 women in the Sister Study cohort residing in cities subject to HOLC practices across the United States. HOLC rating maps were obtained from the Mapping Inequality Project, University of Richmond, with neighborhoods graded as A (best for financial investment, green), B (still desirable, blue), C (declining, yellow), and D (hazardous, red-known as redlined). Tree cover within 500m and 2,000m from residences was estimated using 2011 U.S. Forest Service Percent Tree Canopy Cover. Mixed model using climate zone as the random effect was applied to evaluate the associations with adjustments for potential covariates. Analyses were stratified by HOLC grade.
Results:
Tree cover was significantly higher in neighborhoods with better HOLC grades. A 10% increase in tree cover was associated with reduced odds of depressive symptoms for the full study population, with adjusted odds ratios (AORs) of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88, 0.99], and 0.91 (0.85, 0.97) for 500-m and 2,000-m buffer, respectively. Across HOLC grades, the strongest associations were observed in redlined neighborhoods, with respective AORs of 0.72 (95% CI: 0.52, 0.99) and 0.63 (95% CI: 0.45, 0.90) for 500-m and 2,000-m buffer.
Discussion:
Findings support a remediation strategy focused on neighborhood greenery that would address multiple public health priorities, including mental health and environmental justice. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP12212.
Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP) is a therapeutic approach which promotes mental wellbeing through a range of activities with horses. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) is an evidence-based therapy which promotes acceptance and committed actions in line with an individual’s values. The current evidence base suggests that an integrated approach, utilising aspects of both ACT and EAP, may offer a unique approach to therapy. This research update briefly outlines both therapeutic approaches, and considers their potential synergy, before positing that a combined approach could be an effective therapy for older adults, given the unique setting, emphasis on values and sensory stimulation. We conclude by discussing potential challenges and the service contexts of a combined EAP and ACT approach, and how we intend to evaluate this approach.
Nature-based solutions including urban forests and wetlands can help communities cope better with climate change and other environmental stressors by enhancing social-ecological resilience. Natural ecosystems, settings, elements and affordances can also help individuals become more resilient to various stressors, although the mechanisms underpinning individual-level nature-based resilience, and their relations to social-ecological resilience, are not well articulated. We propose ‘nature-based biopsychosocial resilience theory’ (NBRT) to address these gaps. Our framework begins by suggesting that individual-level resilience can refer to both: a) a person’s set of adaptive resources; and b) the processes by which these resources are deployed. Drawing on existing nature-health perspectives, we argue that nature contact can support individuals build and maintain biological, psychological, and social (i.e. biopsychosocial) resilience-related resources. Together with nature-based social-ecological resilience, these biopsychosocial resilience resources can: i) reduce the risk of various stressors (preventive resilience); ii) enhance adaptive reactions to stressful circumstances (response resilience), and/or iii) facilitate more rapid and/or complete recovery from stress (recovery resilience). Reference to these three resilience processes supports integration across more familiar pathways involving harm reduction, capacity building, and restoration. Evidence in support of the theory, potential interventions to promote nature-based biopsychosocial resilience, and issues that require further consideration are discussed.
Rumah Sakit Siloam Bali merupakan salah satu rumah sakit modern yang terletak di Kabupaten Badung. Dalam proses pengabdian ini, pihak mitra membutuhkan pertimbangan akademis, perihal adanya isu medical tourism. Sebagai bagian dari Tri Dharma Perguruan Tinggi khususnya pada bidang pengabdian masyarakat, Jurusan Desain Interior melaksanakan permintaan mitra ini sebagai pengabdian berdasarkan bidang keahlian. Tujuannya untuk memberikan sumbangsih keilmuan bagi mitra yang membutuhkan pelayanan dalam desain interior. Metode yang digunakan memiliki beberapa tahapan yaitu survey tempat, mengukur ruang, wawancara dengan klien, membuat draft desain, melakukan rapat dengan klien, dan membuat konsep desain final. Hasilnya desain yang diciptakan mengikuti kaidah-kaidah ruang rumah sakit, serta mampu memberikan kesan modern, ringan, serta menenangkan bagi pasien. Kamar-kamar yang dirancang juga mengikuti prinsip-prinsip wisata medis, memaksimalkan suasana terapeutik, mempengaruhi kondisi psikologis pasien, dan berkontribusi pada pemulihan.Selain itu, Pengabdian berjalan dengan baik dan pihak mitra sangat menyukai konsep desain yang dibuat, karena sesuai dengan kebutuhan dan permintaan mereka.
Resumo:
Los árbitros están sometidos a una variedad de fuentes de estresores (Vela & Arbinaga, 2018). En este contexto, tanto los comportamientos resilientes como el constructo perfeccionismo han desarrollan un rol relevante en la ejecución arbitral (Arbinaga, et al., 2019; Arbinaga, 2023). El objetivo es analizar el constructo perfeccionismo (adaptativo/desadaptativo) en función de la conducta resiliente (alta/baja) en árbitros de fútbol. Estudio de corte transversal, donde participan 199 árbitros de fútbol, asociados a la Federación Española de Fútbol (91.96%, male, Mage = 28.24, SD = 8.47). De la muestra el 73.4% eran amateur y el 26.6% eran semi-profesional y/o profesional. La evaluación se realizó con las adaptaciones al español de la Frost Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS; Frost et al., 1990; Gelabert et al., 2011) para evaluar el perfeccionismo; y para la conducta resiliente se utilizó la Resilience Scale (RS; Ruiz-Barquín et al., 2012; Wagnild & Young 1987, 1993). Los datos han mostrado que lo hombres y las mujeres no se diferencian en resiliencia ni en perfeccionismo (adaptativo-desadaptativo). Tampoco se detectan diferencias al comparara amateur vs semiprofesionales-profesionales. Los árbitros con alta resiliencia (=> 147 puntos) obtienen puntuaciones mas bajas (Md= 41.37, SD=15.15), en perfeccionismo desadaptativo, frente a los de baja resiliencia (=< 146 puntos) quienes obtienen en Perfeccionismo Desadaptativo (Md= 48.11, SD=14.45) valores superiores de manera significativa (t=3.103, p = .002); con una d´Cohen= 0.45. Por su parte, en Perfeccionismo Adaptativo, quienes muestran una alta resiliencia (Md= 50.95, SD=8.82) obtienen puntuaciones superiores a los de baja resiliencia (Md= 48.02, SD=9.57) de manera significativa (t=2.162, p = .032) con una d´Cohen = 0.32. Se constata que quienes muestran comportamientos resilientes reflejan un perfeccionismo adaptativo, que le facilita mejorar el rendimiento. Por su parte, los árbitros de baja resiliencia son los que refieren un perfeccionismo desadaptativo que les dificulta su labor como árbitros.
Resumo:
La danza como actividad de rendimiento se asocia a problemas que lastran la carrera profesional y artística. Impone unas demandas que aumentan la vulnerabilidad de los bailarines; asociándose a diversos problemas como los relacionados con el sueño (Arbinaga, 2018); factor de riesgo para lesiones y el bajo rendimiento. La flexibilidad psicológica se refiere a la posibilidad de aceptar los acontecimientos privados desagradables en el presente, sin intentar modificarlos. La inflexibilidad psicológica se asocia a psicopatologías, peor calidad de vida, peor salud percibida y menos experiencias emocionales positivas. Se pretende en este trabajo determinar la relación entre las características del sueño -evaluando cronotipo y calidad subjetiva del sueño- y la inflexibilidad psicológica en estudiantes de danza. Este fue un estudio transversal con muestreo no probabilístico. Han participado 114 estudiantes de danza. Las evaluaciones se realizaron mediante el Acceptance and Action Questionnaire (Bond et al., 2011). Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (Buysse et al., 1989; Macías-Fernández & Royuela-Rico, 1996) and the Composite Scale of Morningness (Smith et al., 1989; Smith et al., 2002). Entre hombres y mujeres no hay diferencias en inflexibilidad psicológica (t = 0.414, p = .680). El 26.3% se agrupa como baja inflexibilidad, el 52.6% media inflexibilidad y el 21.1% alta inflexibilidad. Realizando la prueba de ANOVA se definen diferencias en la calidad del sueño (F(2,113) = 4.825, p = .010) en cronotipo (F(2,113) = 6.172, p = .003), en factor general de matutinidad (F(2,113) = 4.277, p = .016) y en estado de alerta (F(2,113) = 7.935, p = .001). El grupo de baja inflexibilidad es el que marca las diferencias frente al de media y alta inflexibilidad; que no se diferencian entre sí. Los estudiantes con baja inflexibilidad son los que muestran mejor percepción de la calidad del sueño; reflejando un carácter más matutino y menos asociado a problemas. La inflexibilidad psicológica resulta relevante ya que es modificable mediante enfoques de intervención y formación.
Modern cities have seen urban parks evolve from mere green spaces into integral components supporting human well-being and environmental sustainability. These parks offer individuals serene settings to unwind and reconnect with nature, promoting mental health by alleviating stress. However, as urbanization increases and public park demand surges, designing and planning these spaces becomes more challenging. To optimize park design, understanding user profiles and utilization patterns is crucial. By examining how visitor demographics intertwine with park usage, policymakers and planners can make informed decisions for future development. This study employs Nonlinear Canonical Correlation Analysis (NLCC), a robust statistical tool, to explore the intricate connections between socio-demographic attributes of urban park visitors and their usage patterns. Focused on Konya, Turkey, the research delves into the non-linear relationships between socio-demographic characteristics and park usage. Survey data from 444 participants forms the basis of the analysis, unveiling inherent dataset structures and assessing correlations between attributes and usage patterns. Results highlight the substantial impact of occupation, income, and age as determinants of socio-demographic characteristics affecting park use at an individual level. These findings hold significant implications for urban park planning and management. The research underscores the nuanced interplay between socio-demographic factors and usage patterns, offering targeted strategies for diverse visitor needs. As urban landscapes evolve, this study contributes to refining policies and practices that cultivate sustainable, equitable, and enjoyable park experiences for urban communities.
Implementing Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) solutions for participatory processes can support citizens’ understanding of urban design outcomes favoring multi-stakeholder collaboration. Moreover, the interaction of final users with virtual and augmented environments, representing actual conditions or design schemes, can lead to identifying how specific urban features (e.g., typologies of greenery, urban materials, buildings) can affect the experience of places of today and tomorrow, i.e., before proceeding to construction. In this perspective, we combine two analytical methods to investigate the relationship between the physical environment and its subjective perception. Indeed, image segmentation allows for analyzing the urban scenes' environmental features and the exp-EIA © (experiential—Environmental Impact Assessment) method investigating the geolocated people’s reactions to the environment. This paper introduces this overall approach and methodology and presents an application in Milan. The case study is in the Porta Romana-Vettabbia area, a southern district of the city of Milan (Italy), where the Fondazione Prada by OMA (2018) was recently built, and the Symbiosis district by Covivio R.E. and ACPV (Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel) is currently under construction, and the design project VITAE by Covivio R.E., Carlo Ratti Associati, and partners will be located. The results of such type of study can inform the urban design project process, starting from the analysis of the current conditions to the definition of urban design briefs and during the design development and decision-making phase, by supporting the identification of the spatialized experiential effects of the urban composition of natural and artificial elements.KeywordsUrban designImage segmentationAugmented realityVirtual reality
The Handbook aims to provide decision-makers with a comprehensive NBS impact assessment framework, and a robust set of indicators and methodologies to assess impacts of nature-based solutions across 12 societal challenge areas: Climate Resilience; Water Management; Natural and Climate Hazards; Green Space Management; Biodiversity; Air Quality; Place Regeneration; Knowledge and Social Capacity Building for Sustainable Urban Transformation; Participatory Planning and Governance; Social Justice and Social Cohesion; Health and Well-being; New Economic Opportunities and Green Jobs. Indicators have been developed collaboratively by representatives of 17 individual EU-funded NBS projects and collaborating institutions such as the EEA and JRC, as part of the European Taskforce for NBS Impact Assessment, with the four-fold objective of: serving as a reference for relevant EU policies and activities; orient urban practitioners in developing robust impact evaluation frameworks for nature-based solutions at different scales; expand upon the pioneering work of the EKLIPSE framework by providing a comprehensive set of indicators and methodologies; and build the European evidence base regarding NBS impacts. They reflect the state of the art in current scientific research on impacts of nature-based solutions and valid and standardized methods of assessment, as well as the state of play in urban implementation of evaluation frameworks.
Human survival is directly tied to our relationship with the natural environment. Achieving a sustainable lifestyle depends on establishing a balance between the consumption of individuals, and the capacity of the natural environment for renewal. Yet, we often act as ifwe are separate from nature — as if we can get along without nature. Indeed, built environments serve as barriers between individuals and the natural environments in which they live. Offices, schools, homes, cars, restaurants, shopping malls, and many other built environments segregate people from nature. This chapter examines the implicit connection that individuals make between self and nature, and the impact of built environments on these implicit cognitions. A psychological model for inclusion with nature is presented, containing cognitive (connectedness), affective (caring), and behavioral (commitment) components. Implicationsfor theory, design, and sustainability are discussed.
Perceiving and assessing landscape aesthetics has become an active area of interest in recent years. This paper begins with a brief survey of the historical development of landscape aesthetics perception in the Czech lands. Then two basic approaches in the field of landscape aesthetics are analysed. The objective approach considers aesthetic values to be an inherent quality of landscape, while a subjective approach regards the aesthetic qualities of a landscape as a product of the human mind. Two ways of assessing landscape aesthetics are used in the context of these approaches. Expert-based assessment is based on certain assumptions about aesthetic value, while perception-based assessment focuses on the individuality of the perceiving subject with his/her feelings, needs and imagination. This paper deals with the advantages
and disadvantages of these two ways of making assessments.
This study evaluated the factor structure of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) with a diverse sample of 1,248 European American, Latino, Armenian, and Iranian adolescents. Adolescents completed the 10-item RSES during school as part of a larger study on parental influences and academic outcomes. Findings suggested that method effects in the RSES are more strongly associated with negatively worded items across three diverse groups but also more pronounced among ethnic minority adolescents. Findings also suggested that accounting for method effects is necessary to avoid biased conclusions regarding cultural differences in self-esteem and how predictors are related to the RSES. Moreover, the two RSES factors (positive self-esteem and negative self-esteem) were differentially predicted by parenting behaviors and academic motivation. Substantive and methodological implications of these findings for cross-cultural research on adolescent self-esteem are discussed.
The findings suggest that stressed individuals feel significantly better after exposure to nature scenes rather than to American urban scenes lacking nature elements. Compared to the influences of the urban scenes, the salient effect of the nature exposures was to increase Positive Affect — including feelings of affection friendliness, playfulness, and elation. The increase in positive affect produced by the nature scenes is consistent with the finding that the nature exposures also significantly reduced Fear Arousal. According to psychological theories, a reduction in arousal or activation produces pleasurable feelings if an individual is experiencing stress or excessive arousal (Berlyne, 1971, pp. 81–82). In contrast to the nature scenes, the urban views tended to work against emotional well‐being. The major effect of the urban scenes was to significantly increase Sadness. There was also a consistent but non‐significant tendency for the urban scenes to‐aggravate feelings of Anger/Aggression, and for the nature scenes to reduce such feelings. The urban exposures also held the attention of subjects somewhat less effectively than the nature exposures. These findings were stable across sexes, and applied to subjects who had grown up in either rural or urban environments.
Wilderness should provide opportunities for stress reduction and restoration of mental fatigue. Visitors, surveyed as they exited wilderness trailheads, were asked for self-assessments of stress reduction and mental rejuvenation and the extent to which they experienced various restorative components of the environment—attributes deemed by attention restorative theory to be conducive to restoration. Day and overnight hikers on both very high use and moderate use trails were studied. Most respondents reported substantial stress reduction and mental rejuvenation and most experienced the environment in ways considered conducive to restoration. At the moderate to high use levels we studied, psychological restoration did not vary significantly with level of congestion, suggesting that concern about restorative experiences is not a valid rationale for limiting use on wilderness trails. Day trips reduced stress and allowed for mental rejuvenation to the same degree that overnight trips did. However, several of the restorative components of environment were experienced to a significantly greater degree as length of trip increased.
This study examines how the availability of nature influences the use of outdoor public spaces in two Chicago public housing developments. Ninety-six observations were collected of the presence and location of trees and the presence and location of youth and adults in semiprivate spaces at one high-rise and one low-rise public housing development. Results consistentiy indicated that natural landscaping encourages greater use of outdoor areas by residents. Spaces with trees attracted larger groups of people, as well as more mixed groups of youth and adults, than did spaces devoid of nature. In addition, more dense groupings of trees and trees that are located close to public housing buildings attracted larger groups of people. These findings suggest that natural elements such as trees promote increased opportunities for social interactions, monitorng of outdoor areas, and supervision of children in impovershed urban neighborhoods.
Subjects viewed sixty color slides of either (1) nature with water, (2) nature dominated by vegetation, or (3) urban environments without water or vegetation. The information rates of the three slide samples were equivalent. Measurements were taken of the effects of the slide presentations on alpha amplitude, heart rate, and emotional states. Results revealed several significant differences as a function of environment, which together indicate that the two categories of nature views had more positive influences on psychophysiological states than the urban scenes. Alpha was significantly higher during the vegetation as opposed to urban slides; similarly, alpha was higher on the average when subjects viewed water rather than urban content. There was also a consistent pattern for nature, especially water, to have more positive influences on emotional states. A salient finding was that water, and to a lesser extent vegetation views, held attention and interest more effectively than the urban scenes. Implications of the findings for theory development in environmental aesthetics are discussed.
How would inner-city residents respond to the incorporation of trees and grass in their neighborhoods? Law enforcement officials have argued that, in these settings, trees and other forms of vegetation increase fear. Tree density, tree placement, and levels of grass maintenance were manipulated in photo simulations of neighborhood outdoor space. One hundred residents of Chicago's Robert Taylor Homes living adjacent to the space rated the images with respect to preference and sense of safety. Although tree placement (subspaces created by trees, formality of arrangement) had little effect on sense of safety and no effect on preference, both tree density and grass maintenance had strong effects on preference and sense of safety (&eegr;2s from .49 to .89). Surprisingly, tree density and grass maintenance increased both preference and sense of safety. Results suggest that-contrary to some views-trees and grass maintenance can increase sense of safety in inner-city neighborhoods.
Restorative environments help renew psychological resources depleted in environments that do not fully support intended functions. The design of restorative environments can be aided and underlying theory elaborated with a means for measuring psychological factors thought to work in restorative experiences. This paper reports on four studies carried out to develop such a measure, the Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS). Each study employed several strategies for assessing reliability and validity. Factor analysis was used to examine the stability of the measure's factor structure across different sites and studies. To assess criterion, convergent, and discriminant validities, measures of emotional states and other environmental qualities were also completed for each site. The sites selected for evaluation differed on theoretically relevant dimensions (natural-urban; outdoor-indoor), enabling checks on the PRS's sensitivity to meaningful differences among environments. The results were consistent across the studies, which also involved different subject populations (American, Swedish, Finnish) and presentation modes (on-site, video, photographic slides). Although the factor analytic results introduce some interpretive qualifications, substantial validity coefficients and sensitivity to meaningful differences between sites speak to the utility of the measure.
Depending on what is in the view, looking out the window may provide numerous opportunities for restoration. Unlike other restorative opportunities, however, window viewing is more frequent and for brief moments at a time. The setting is also experienced from afar rather than while being in it. A study conducted at six low-rise apartment communities, using a survey with both verbal and visual material, provides considerable support for the premise that having natural elements or settings in the view from the window contributes substantially to residents’ satisfaction with their neighborhood and with diverse aspects of their sense of well-being. Views of built elements, by contrast, affected satisfaction but not well-being. Views of the sky and weather did not have a substantial effect on either outcome. The potential of nature content in the view from home to contribute so significantly to satisfaction and well-being suggests clear action mandates.
Identifying mechanisms that buffer children from life's stress and adversity is an important empirical and practical concern. This study focuses on nature as a buffer of life stress among rural children. To examine whether vegetation near the residential environment might buffer or moderate the impact of stressful life events on children's psychological well-being, data were collected from 337 rural children in Grades 3 through 5 (mean age=9.2 years). Dependent variables include a standard parent-reported measure of children's psychological distress and children's own ratings of global self-worth. In a rural setting, levels of nearby nature moderate the impact of stressful life events on the psychological well-being of children. Specifically, the impact of life stress was lower among children with high levels of nearby nature than among those with little nearby nature. Implications of these finding are discussed with respect to our understanding of resilience and protective mechanisms.
S. Kaplan suggested that one outcome of mental fatigue may be an increased propensity for outbursts of anger and even violence. If so, contact with nature, which appears to mitigate mental fatigue, may reduce aggression and violence. This study investigated that possibility in a setting and population with relatively high rates of aggression: inner-city urban public housing residents. Levels of aggression were compared for 145 urban public housing residents randomly assigned to buildings with varying levels of nearby nature (trees and grass). Attentional functioning was assessed as an index of mental fatigue. Residents living in relatively barren buildings reported more aggression and violence than did their counterparts in greener buildings. Moreover, levels of mental fatigue were higher in barren buildings, and aggression accompanied mental fatigue. Tests for the proposed mechanism and for alternative mechanisms indicated that the relationship between nearby nature and aggression was fully mediated through attentional functioning.
This paper highlights the use of the Profile of Mood States (POMS) in physical activity research by reviewing and synthesizing literature generated in exercise settings. The results of many studies using the POMS have supported the relationships between exercise and acute mood changes in normal populations and between exercise and chronic mood changes in clinical populations. Based on the multitude of studies utilizing the POMS, Berger and colleagues developed a preliminary taxonomy containing enjoyment, mode, and practice guidelines to help maximize the mood benefits associated with exercise. The POMS also has been employed to identify underlying mechanisms that may promote mood alteration. Unfortunately, there is no conclusive evidence that identifies a single mechanism or group of mechanisms as consistently influencing the exercise-mood relationship. Although knowledge of the relationship between exercise and mood alteration is substantial, much remains to be studied. Promising avenues for future investigation of exercise include mood changes in specific populations, environmental influences on mood alteration, and personal characteristics impacting mood alteration.
Mildly-to-moderately depressed and nondepressed subjects were randomly assigned to spend 8 minutes focusing their attention on their current feeling states and personal characteristics (rumination condition) or on descriptions of geographic locations and objects (distraction condition). Depressed subjects in the rumination condition became significantly more depressed, whereas depressed subjects in the distraction condition became significantly less depressed. Rumination and distraction did not affect the moods of nondepressed subjects. These results support the hypothesis that ruminative responses to depressed mood exacerbate and prolong depressed mood. whereas distracting response shorten depressed mood.
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.
In recent studies of the structure of affect, positive and negative affect have consistently emerged as two dominant and relatively independent dimensions. A number of mood scales have been created to measure these factors; however, many existing measures are inadequate, showing low reliability or poor convergent or discriminant validity. To fill the need for reliable and valid Positive Affect and Negative Affect scales that are also brief and easy to administer, we developed two 10-item mood scales that comprise the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS). The scales are shown to be highly internally consistent, largely uncorrelated, and stable at appropriate levels over a 2-month time period. Normative data and factorial and external evidence of convergent and discriminant validity for the scales are also presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)
Ecosystem service approaches have become a prominent basis for planning and management. Cultural services and non-use values are included in all major typologies and present some of the most compelling reasons for conserving ecosystems, though many barriers exist to their explicit characterization. The values that conform least well to economic assumptions—variously lumped together with/as cultural services—have proven elusive in part because valuation is complicated by the properties of intangibility and incommensurability, which has in turn led to their exclusion from economic valuation. We argue that the effectiveness of the ecosystem services framework in decision-making is thwarted by (i) conflation of services, values, and benefits, and (ii) failure to appropriately treat diverse kinds of values. We address this challenge by (1) distinguishing eight dimensions of values, which have implications for appropriate valuation and decision-making; (2) demonstrating the interconnected nature of benefits and services, and so the ubiquity of intangible values; (3) discussing the implications of these propositions for ecosystem-services research; and (4) outlining briefly a research agenda to enable decision-making that is ecologically appropriate and socially just. Because many ecosystem services (co-)produce ‘cultural’ benefits, full characterization of services must address non-material values through methods from diverse social sciences.
A number of studies have found relationships between nature and people's health. These studies indicated three levels of engagement including viewing, being and involvement with nature which positively impact health. Nevertheless, few studies have focused on the effectiveness of viewing nature through windows on human health. This paper will summarize and analyze studies dealing with viewing nature through window. These include viewing nature through windows in formal building, the workplace, and the home. Results indicated that many aspects of human health and development can be significantly improved by viewing nature through window. Improvement in concentration, recovery from stress, high productivity, and improvement in psychological state are all positively associated with viewing nature. These findings are significant for architects and town planners in designing structures with adequate views of nature. However, research in this area is far from conclusive and this paper recommends directions for future studies as regards nature views through windows.
This chapter focuses on the theory of objective self-awareness. It presents the theory of objective self-awareness as it stands presently: Conscious attention is viewed as dichotomous, having the property of being directed either toward the self or toward the environment. The direction of attention is guided by events that force attention inward, such as reflections of the self, and events that pull attention outward, such as distracting stimuli outside the self. Under objective self-awareness, the person will experience either negative or positive affect depending on whether attention is directed toward a negative or a positive discrepancy. The chapter illustrates the operation of a principle that is new to the theory. There are three studies relevant to this new proposition—two on self-esteem and one on attribution. Escaping objective self-awareness has been highlighted. The evolved theory of objective self-awareness has ramifications for three conceptual phenomena: (1) The initial reaction to self-focused attention is self-evaluation, which can be either favorable or unfavorable, depending on the nature of the salient within-self discrepancy; (2) The onset of self-focused attention generates attempts to avoid mirrors and similar stimuli, given that salient discrepancies are negative, and in experimentation, attention can be taken from the self through passive diversions as well as through motor activities; (3) If there is no escape from self-focusing stimuli, discrepancy reduction will then follow.
Several meta-analyses examining the effects of exercise on depression have been criticized for including studies of poor methodological integrity. More recent meta-analyses addressed the most common criticism by including only randomized control trials; however, these analyses suffer from incomplete literature searches and lack of moderating variable analyses. Using a more extensive search procedure, the current meta-analysis examines the effects of exercise on depressive symptoms in 58 randomized trials (n = 2982). An overall effect size of −0.80 indicates participants in the exercise treatment had significantly lower depression scores than those receiving the control treatment. This 3/4 SD advantage represents level 1, Grade A evidence for the effects of exercise upon depression. Analysis of moderating variables examined the influence of population characteristics, exercise characteristics and methodological characteristics. Examination of clinical significance in 16 trials with clinically depressed patients found 9 of 16 exercise treatment groups were classified as ‘recovered’ at post-treatment, with another three groups classified as ‘improved’. Analysis showed dropout rates for the exercise treatment were similar to those found in psychotherapeutic and drug interventions.
This study argues that although scenic beauty, preference, and restoration are correlated due to their functional significance over evolution, they still can be distinguished from one another within natural landscapes. A total of 274 undergraduate students reported their responses with scenic beauty, preference, and restoration as the target variables while viewing 48 landscape slides of six biomes. In addition, a group of three judges evaluated three physical features presented in the landscape slides as controlling and descriptor variables, described as “complexity,” “openness,” and “water features.” Statistical analyses showed that (a) the three target variables were all significantly and highly (rs > 0.94, p < 0.05) correlated; (b) the only mediated relationship among the target variables was preference mediating scenic beauty and restoration; and (c) scenic beauty and preference versus restoration could be distinguished from each other with respect to the types of natural landscapes and the three physical features.
The paper reports on a study that looks at the impact of a corrections environment upon prisoners through a process of monitoring inmate attendance at sick call clinic. Contrasting cell block designs and characteristics are compared on the basis of significant differential demands for health care services emanating from specific areas. Known psychological and physiological responses to situations perceived to be threatening provide the theory that health behavior may be used as one indirect measure of environmentally induced stress. Findings suggest there are architectural design features of the prison environment that provide basis of perceived threats to inmate safety and survival. Loss of privacy on several dimensions appears to be a critical environmental characteristic.
This article investigates the direct and indirect effects of windows in the workplace onjob satisfaction, intention to quit, and general well-being. The impact of three specific influencing mechanisms are examined: general level of illumination, sunlight penetration, and view. The extent to which these environmental features might moderate the negative consequences of job stress is investigated. The sample consisted of 100 white-and blue-collar workers who were employed in a large wine-producing organization in the Mediterranean region of Southern Europe. The results showed a significant direct effect for sunlight penetration on job satisfaction, intention to quit, and general well-being. A view of natural elements (i.e., trees, vegetation, plants, and foliage) was found to buffer the negative impact of job stress on intention to quit and to have a similar, albeit marginal, effect on general well-being. No effects for general level of illumination were found.
The utility of different theoretical models of restorative experience was explored in a quasi-experimental field study and a true experiment. The former included wilderness backpacking and nonwilderness vacation conditions, as well as a control condition in which participants continued with their daily routines. The latter had urban environment, natural environment, and passive relaxation conditions. Multimethod assessments of restoration consisted of self-reports of affective states, cognitive performance, and, in the latter study, physiological measures. Convergent self-report and performance results obtained in both studies offer evidence of greater restorative effects arising from experiences in nature. Implications for theory, methodology, and design are discussed.
An empirical investigation focused on person-window transactions in the physical medicine and rehabilitation environment. Attributes of windows, view, daylight, and spaces perceived as insufficient in these respects were studied in six hospitals. Preference, environmental documentation, and behaviorsassociated with windows and windowless rooms were the subject of a two-part interview and questionnaire. The respondent group numbered 250 persons. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (MDS) was utilized, yielding an array of 21 cognitive dimensions. From evaluations of 56 photographs that sampled a broad spectrum of spaces ranging from highly windowed to windowless, 8 visual dimensions were identified; and 13 nonvisual dimensions distilled from 89 written response items were identified that addressed degree of satisfaction and associated behaviors. Among the findings, ideal window and view conditions frequently contrasted the actual conditions in one's hospital setting; informative views of urban life and nature beyond the hospital, accessible from one's typical viewing angle and position within the room, were desired; minimally windowed rooms wereequated with architecturally windowless spaces, and window-view substitutes in windowless rooms were distinguished from similar rooms without such compensatory measures. Implications for hospital planning and design are discussed.
Three experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that exposure to restorative environments facilitates recovery from mental fatigue. To this end, participants were first mentally fatigued by performing a sustained attention test; then they viewed photographs of restorative environments, nonrestorative environments or geometrical patterns; and finally they performed the sustained attention test again. Only participants exposed to the restorative environments improved their performance on the final attention test, and this improvement occurred whether they viewed the scenes in the standardized time condition or in the self-paced time condition. Results are in agreement with Kaplan's [(1995). The restorative benefits of nature: Toward an integrative framework. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15, 169–182] attention restoration theory, and support the idea that restorative environments help maintain and restore the capacity to direct attention.
Disaster research has increasingly examined how personal characteristics mediate emotional recovery following disaster exposure. We investigated the importance of lost resources, coping self-efficacy, and coping behavior as important variables in acute disaster reaction and medium range disaster recovery following Hurricane Andrew. One hundred and eighty participants living in southern Dade county completed the initial phase of the study (1–4 months post-hurricane), with 135 individuals completing the second wave (8–12 months post-hurricane). Results confirmed that lost resources, coping self-efficacy, and coping behavior are important in understanding psychological reactivity following a natural disaster. These variables together provided the best fitted causal model for describing psychological reactions to the hurricane over time. Results are discussed in relation to how coping self-efficacy may serve as an important intra-personal factor that mediates how lost resources are managed and how effective coping ensues. Implications for clinical interventions are also addressed.
The chapter reviews progress in the original theory as the publication of the most recent conceptual overview. Criticisms of the original theory and the alternative models are also discussed in the chapter. This analysis assumes that self-focused persons in a group-conflict situation will inevitably attribute the error to internal sources and accede to group pressure or anticipation of group pressure. The larger the group, the stronger the pressure, and the greater is the conformity. The argument appears to be accurate when considering situations of low personal involvement, but it assigns a rather tenuous nature to personal standards. In fact, in most of the studies, demonstrating this conformity reaction, it may be assumed that the subjects had little commitment to or concern with the issue in question. Those issues involved either verifiable beliefs or simply estimates in ambiguous situations—the type of circumstances in which group opinion might weigh most heavily on decision making and behavior.
Development of research on intrafamily conflict and violence requires both conceptual clarity and measures of the concepts. The introduction to this paper therefore seeks to clarify and distinguish the concepts of "conflict," "conflict of interest," "hostility," and "violence." The main part of the paper describes the Conflict Tactics (CT) Scales. The CT Scales are designed to measure the use of Reasoning, Verbal Aggression, and Violence within the family. Information is presented on the following aspects of this instrument: theoretical rational, acceptability to respondents, scoring, factor structure, reliability, validity, and norms for a nationally representative sample of 2,143 couples.
Cognitive-experiential self-theory (CEST) is a global theory of personality that substitutes an adaptive unconscious for the Freudian maladaptive unconscious. The unconscious of CEST is an associative, automatic learning system, mediated by affect that humans share with other higher order animals that have adapted successfully with it over millions of years of evolution. The system is referred to as an experiential system because it adapts by empirically learning from experience. Humans also uniquely process information with a “rational system,” which is a verbal reasoning system. The two systems operate by different rules and attributes. They operate in parallel and are bi-directionally interactive, both simultaneously and sequentially. Although the systems usually operate in harmony and often synergistically, they also may conflict with each other and otherwise interfere with each other's performance.The influence of the experiential on the rational system can account for the irrationality of humans particularly when attempting to solve interrelationship problems, both interpersonal and intersocietal. According to CEST, despite their remarkable intelligence people often do poorly in solving relationship problems, which fall primarily in the domain of the experiential system, as their experiential processing biases their rational processing.This chapter demonstrates that CEST has theoretical and research implications for elucidating a wide range of psychological issues, including the nature of intuition, the existence of a global factor of experiential intelligence, psychological sources of physical and emotional well-being, psychobiography, and the meaning of dreams.Keywords:CEST;cognitive-experiential self-theory;integrative personality theory;adaptive unconscious;dual-process theory
• In preparing the following abridgment of my larger work, the Principles of Psychology, my chief aim has been to make it more directly available for class-room use. For this purpose I have omitted several whole chapters and rewritten, others. I have left out all the polemical and historical matter, all the metaphysical discussions and purely speculative passages, most of the quotations, all the book-references, and (I trust) all the impertinences, of the larger work, leaving to the teacher the choice of orally restoring as much of this material as may seem to him good, along with his own remarks on the topics successively studied. Knowing how ignorant the average student is of physiology, I have added brief chapters on the various senses. In this shorter work the general point of view, which I have adopted as that of 'natural science,' has, I imagine, gained in clearness by its extrication from so much critical matter and its more simple and dogmatic statement. About two fifths of the volume is either new or rewritten, the rest is 'scissors and paste.' I regret to have been unable to supply chapters on pleasure and pain, aesthetics, and the moral sense. Possibly the defect may be made up in a later edition, if such a thing should ever be demanded. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
• In preparing the following abridgment of my larger work, the Principles of Psychology, my chief aim has been to make it more directly available for class-room use. For this purpose I have omitted several whole chapters and rewritten, others. I have left out all the polemical and historical matter, all the metaphysical discussions and purely speculative passages, most of the quotations, all the book-references, and (I trust) all the impertinences, of the larger work, leaving to the teacher the choice of orally restoring as much of this material as may seem to him good, along with his own remarks on the topics successively studied. Knowing how ignorant the average student is of physiology, I have added brief chapters on the various senses. In this shorter work the general point of view, which I have adopted as that of 'natural science,' has, I imagine, gained in clearness by its extrication from so much critical matter and its more simple and dogmatic statement. About two fifths of the volume is either new or rewritten, the rest is 'scissors and paste.' I regret to have been unable to supply chapters on pleasure and pain, aesthetics, and the moral sense. Possibly the defect may be made up in a later edition, if such a thing should ever be demanded. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved)
The authors report further evidence bearing on the relations among restorative experiences, self-regulation, and place attachment. University students (n = 101) described their favorite places and experiences in them, and 98 other students described unpleasant places. Natural settings were overrepresented among favorite places and underrepresented among the unpleasant places. In open-ended accounts, frequent mention of being relaxed, being away from everyday life, forgetting worries, and reflecting on personal matters indicated a link between favorite places and restorative experience. Restoration was particularly typical of natural favorite places. Structured evaluations of being away, fascination, coherence, and compatibility indicated they were experienced to a high degree in the favorite places, although fascination to a lesser degree than compatibility. The favorite and unpleasant places differed substantially in all four restorative qualities but especially in being away and compatibility. Self-referencing appears to be more characteristic of favorite place experiences than engaging or interesting environmental properties.