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Stenqvist TB, Bere E. How traditional Norwegian outdoor activities are changing; a 10-year follow up in relation to sociodemographic factors. Front Sports Act Living 2024; 6:1355776. [PMID: 38711570 PMCID: PMC11070537 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1355776] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 05/08/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction The study aims to evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic factors and changes in Norwegian outdoor activities between 2008 and 2018. Traditional outdoor activities, such as family trips in nature, the gathering of mushrooms and wild berries, and growing one's own plants to eat, are believed to have a positive impact on physical activity levels and health in general. Method This study includes repeated cross-sectional surveys conducted in 38 randomly selected schools across two Norwegian counties. In 2008, 1,012 parents of 6th and 7th grade students from 27 schools completed a questionnaire. In 2018, 609 new parents from 25 schools participated. Variables were dichotomized. Descriptive analyses between groups were conducted using chi-square statistics. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed with the three outdoor activities as dependent variables, including year only (model 1), and then also gender, age (continuous), education (own and partners), and household income as independent variables (model 2). Results Participation in weekly family trips in nature increased from 22% to 28% (p = 0.002), the OR for year 2018 vs. year 2008 was 1.51. Adjusted for sociodemographic factors, the OR remained stable and significant. Education was the only significant sociodemographic factor (OR = 1.60), indicating the odds of those with a higher education to be 60% higher to engage in weekly family trips in nature. Gathering of wild mushrooms and plants remained stable with time. Being female (OR = 1.44), age (OR = 1.049) and education (OR = 1.49) was related to gathering. An increase in growing plants to eat was observed with an increase from 42% to 51% (p < 0.001), OR = 1.33. However, it did not remain significant in model 2. Education was, in general, positively related to growing food (OR = 1.35). Conclusion We observed a positive increase in family trips in nature over the period from 2008 to 2018. Furthermore, elder parents seem to be more involved in the long-rooted traditional Norwegian grow- and gather culture, and a social gradient is apparent as those with higher education do participate more often in traditional outdoor activities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elling Bere
- Department of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Agder, Kristiansand, Norway
- Department of Health and Inequalities & Centre for Evaluation of Public Health Measures, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway
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2
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Li H, Browning MHEM, Bardhan M, Ying M, Zhang X, Cao Y, Zhang G. Nature connectedness connects the visibility of trees through windows and mental wellbeing: a study on the "3 visible trees" component of the 3-30-300 rule. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38591755 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2334767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
To examine the mediatory role of nature connectedness between tree visibility through windows and mental wellbeing, we conducted a questionnaire survey and examined the mediation effect using both cross-sectional and semi-longitudinal mediation models. We evaluated nature connectedness using the Inclusion of Nature in Self (INS) scale and the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS) and measured mental wellbeing using the WHO-5 wellbeing index. Our results showed that participants who could see at least three trees through their windows reported higher levels of both nature connectedness and mental wellbeing compared to those without such visibility. Nature connectedness significantly mediated the relationship between the visibility of trees through windows and mental wellbeing, albeit with a somewhat limited effect. More broadly, this study provides additional evidence in support of the "3" component of the 3-30-300 "rule" for equitable access to greenspace in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hansen Li
- College of Physical education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Matthew H E M Browning
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
- Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
| | - Mondira Bardhan
- Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
- Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, Clemson University, Clemson, USA
- Environment and Sustainability Research Initiative, Khulna, Bangladesh
| | - Mingyue Ying
- School of Athletic Performance, Shanghai University of Sport, Shanghai, China
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Yang Cao
- Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Guodong Zhang
- College of Physical education, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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3
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Schönbach DMI, Tiscareno-Osorno X, MacIntyre TE, Smith S, MacIntyre D, Demetriou Y. What socio-demographic characteristics of university students in Southern Germany predict their urban nature connectedness? PLoS One 2022; 17:e0272344. [PMID: 35921378 PMCID: PMC9348682 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 07/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Promoting mental health addresses a global societal challenge. Nature connectedness, or relatedness to natural systems, is associated with increased well-being and mental health. Among urban populations, nature connectedness has been reported as lower. Nature connectedness in urban settings has been somewhat overlooked by researchers. This cross-sectional online study addressed this issue by identifying socio-demographic predictors of urban nature connectedness among 165 students, aged 20 to 40, from the Technical University of Munich. Analysis of the data from 153 female university students was conducted using ordinal regressions, (a) separately and (b) merged with their 12 male counterparts. A separate gender analysis for males could not be performed, due to sample size limitations. Although access to nature and a considerable nature dose in terms of frequency and duration of nature contact were noted, possibly achieved through the engagement in outdoor activities, urban nature connectedness was rather low. Results showed that urban nature connectedness was negatively predicted by living in a rural area and positively predicted by engagement in outdoor activities and increased hours per week spent in nature. This information can help researchers operationalize the construct of urban nature connectedness. Furthermore, it can aid the development of interventions aimed at promoting urban nature connectedness, by encouraging urban inhabitants to (repeatedly) get in contact with and spend time in provided high-quality urban nature (e.g., during outdoor activities). To draw conclusions about causality, further research is required to identify a clear cause-effect relationship between socio-demographic characteristics and urban nature connectedness. Based on a researched dose-response relationship, a(n) (inter)national recommendation for the duration of nature contact should be established to promote urban nature connectedness and, therewith, health in urban inhabitants. Future research should also investigate further potential individual influencing factors, as well as gender and within/between-country differences among urban inhabitants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorothea M. I. Schönbach
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Tadhg E. MacIntyre
- All Institute, Department of Psychology, Maynooth University, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Stephen Smith
- Institute of Child Education and Psychology, Europe, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Deirdre MacIntyre
- Institute of Child Education and Psychology, Europe, Maynooth, Co. Kildare, Ireland
| | - Yolanda Demetriou
- Department of Sport and Health Sciences, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
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4
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Ugarte E, Johnson LE, Robins RW, Guyer AE, Hastings PD. The impact of social disadvantage on autonomic physiology of latinx adolescents: The role of environmental risks. New Dir Child Adolesc Dev 2022; 2022:91-124. [PMID: 35634899 PMCID: PMC9492630 DOI: 10.1002/cad.20462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
The experience of poverty embodies complex, multidimensional stressors that may adversely affect physiological and psychological domains of functioning. Compounded by racial/ethnic discrimination, the financial aspect of family poverty typically coincides with additional social and physical environmental risks such as pollution exposure, housing burden, elevated neighborhood unemployment, and lower neighborhood education levels. In this study, we investigated the associations of multidimensional social disadvantage throughout adolescence with autonomic nervous system (ANS) functioning at 17 years. Two hundred and twenty nine low-income Mexican-American adolescents (48.6% female) and their parents were assessed annually between the ages of 10 and 16. Participants' census tracts were matched with corresponding annual administrative data of neighborhood housing burden, education, unemployment, drinking water quality, and fine particulate matter. We combined measures of adolescents' electrodermal response and respiratory sinuses arrhythmia at rest and during a social exclusion challenge (Cyberball) to use as ANS indices of sympathetic and parasympathetic activity, respectively. Controlling for family income-to-needs, youth exposed to greater cumulative water and air pollution from ages 10-16 displayed altered patterns of autonomic functioning at rest and during the social challenge. Conversely, youth living in areas with higher housing burden displayed healthy patterns of autonomic functioning. Altogether, results suggest that toxin exposure in youths' physical environments disrupts the ANS, representing a plausible mechanism by which pollutants and social disadvantage influence later physical and mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Ugarte
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis
- Center for Mind & Brain, University of California Davis
| | - Lisa E. Johnson
- Center for Mind & Brain, University of California Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
| | | | - Amanda E. Guyer
- Department of Human Ecology, University of California, Davis
- Center for Mind & Brain, University of California Davis
| | - Paul D. Hastings
- Center for Mind & Brain, University of California Davis
- Department of Psychology, University of California, Davis
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5
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Kokkonen JM, Vepsäläinen H, Abdollahi A, Paasio H, Ranta S, Erkkola M, Roos E, Ray C. Associations between Parent-Child Nature Visits and Sleep, Physical Activity and Weight Status among Finnish 3-6-Year-Olds. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:12426. [PMID: 34886152 PMCID: PMC8657378 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph182312426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 11/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Nature visits and nature exposure have been shown to be favorably associated with children's health and development, but the research regarding their associations with children's lifestyle habits is limited. The current study aimed to investigate the associations between the frequency of parent-child nature visits and sleep, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and weight status among three- to six-year-old Finnish preschoolers. Parents and their children (n = 864) participated in a cross-sectional DAGIS (increased health and wellbeing in preschools) study, which was conducted between 2015 and 2016 in Finland. In total, 798 parents answered a questionnaire on the frequency of parent-child nature visits, which also included questions on sociodemographic factors and their children's sleep habits. Parents also reported children's bedtimes and wake-up times and children wore an accelerometer for seven days. Trained researchers measured children's weight and height. Linear and logistic regression analyses were conducted. More frequent parent-child nature visits were associated with children's longer sleep duration at night, higher amounts of MVPA outside preschool time and, among girls, good sleep consistency. The frequency of parent-child nature visits was not significantly associated with whether children were overweight or obese or not. Promoting parent-child nature visits could be a cost-effective way to increase young children's MVPA and enhance night-time sleep.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juuli-Mari Kokkonen
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (A.A.); (H.P.); (E.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Henna Vepsäläinen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
| | - Anna Abdollahi
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (A.A.); (H.P.); (E.R.); (C.R.)
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
| | - Hanna Paasio
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (A.A.); (H.P.); (E.R.); (C.R.)
| | - Samuli Ranta
- School of Applied Educational Science and Teacher Education, Philosophical Faculty, University of Eastern Finland, P.O. Box 111, 80101 Joensuu, Finland;
| | - Maijaliisa Erkkola
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
| | - Eva Roos
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (A.A.); (H.P.); (E.R.); (C.R.)
- Department of Public Health, Clinicum, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 20, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
- Department of Food Studies, Nutrition and Dietetics, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 560, 751 22 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Carola Ray
- Folkhälsan Research Center, Topeliuksenkatu 20, 00250 Helsinki, Finland; (A.A.); (H.P.); (E.R.); (C.R.)
- Department of Food and Nutrition, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 66, 00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.V.); (M.E.)
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Tesler R, Endevelt R, Plaut P. Urban Forest Health Intervention Program to promote physical activity, healthy eating, self-efficacy and life satisfaction: impact on Israeli at-risk youth. Health Promot Int 2021; 37:6374524. [PMID: 34554225 DOI: 10.1093/heapro/daab145] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate an urban forest intervention program effect on physical activity, healthy eating habits, self-efficacy and life satisfaction (LS) among Israeli at-risk youth. The quasi-experimental study ran from September 2016 to June 2017; participants were randomly selected. There were 76 total study participants: 53 in the intervention and 23 in the control group. Participants ranged in age from 15 to 18 years. Questionnaires were administered to intervention and control groups before and after the intervention. Univariate and multivariable analyses evaluated the intervention effect. Repeated measures analyses of covariance were calculated to assess change in group differences. An increase was found in measures of physical activity in the intervention group (p < 0.001), while no change was noted in the control group. Healthy eating increased in both groups (p = 0.007), with no significant difference between them (p = 0.165). Unhealthy eating decreased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.002) and increased in the control group (p = 0.007). Self-efficacy increased in the intervention group (p < 0.001), while no change was noted in the control group (p = 0.353). Likewise, LS increased in the intervention group (p < 0.001), while no change was found in the control group (p = 0.657). Findings indicate that the intervention was efficacious in increasing physical activity, healthy eating habits, self-efficacy, and LS. The effectiveness of this intervention among larger samples is warranted in future prospective studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riki Tesler
- Department of Health System Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ramat HaGolan 65, Ariel 407000, Israel
| | - Ronit Endevelt
- Department of Health Promotion School of Public Health, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave, Haifa, 3498838, Israel
| | - Pnina Plaut
- Faculty of Architecture and Town Planning, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Technion City, Haifa 3200003, Israel
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7
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Investigating the Association between Outdoor Environment and Outdoor Activities for Seniors Living in Old Residential Communities. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18147500. [PMID: 34299950 PMCID: PMC8307385 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18147500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Many seniors live in old residential communities (ORCs) with low-quality outdoor environment (OE), which hinders the residents’ outdoor daily activities (ODAs). This paper empirically investigates the association of OE on ODAs for seniors living in ORCs. A questionnaire was designed and distributed in six central districts of Nanjing city. A total of 258 questionnaires was finally collected, of which 60.08%, 29.46%, 9.69%, and 0.78% respondents were scattered into four age groups (61–69, 70–79, 80–89, and ≥90), respectively. Based on reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and regression analysis, the results show that: (1) social activities are mainly associated with noise; (2) leisure activities are significantly associated with road accessibility, slip-resistance measures, greenery, and staff; (3) utilitarian-type activities are significantly associated with stairway accessibility, slip-resistance measures, greenery, and seating; (4) there is a significant association between nature-exposure activities and layout, greenery, and poor air quality. The findings could guide Chinese officials when renewing ORCs by addressing the most important outdoor environmental factors associated with ODAs.
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8
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Li D, Menotti T, Ding Y, Wells NM. Life Course Nature Exposure and Mental Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Future Directions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18105146. [PMID: 34066287 PMCID: PMC8152056 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18105146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/05/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Recently, an emerging body of literature has examined the relationships between early life nature exposure and mental health in later life; however, no critical synthesis yet exists regarding the extent and strength of these relationships. This study presents the first systematic review of studies in this growing area. Following the PRISMA framework, we searched six databases (i.e., Scopus, Web of Science, MEDLINE, Embase, PsycINFO, and CINAHL); conducted identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion analyses; and identified a final set of 29 articles. The review set comprises primarily longitudinal studies, with several cross-sectional studies using retrospective measures of childhood nature exposure. The majority of included studies were published between 2016 and 2020 and conducted in Europe and North America. Five domains of mental health outcomes are associated with early-life nature exposure: incidence of mental disorders, psychiatric symptoms and emotions, conduct problems in children, cognitive function, and subjective well-being. The evidence lends support to an overall beneficial role of early nature exposure on mental health, although inconsistencies are reported. Taken together, the evidence does not suggest that exposure at any given life stage is more saliently associated with mental health outcomes than at others. We discuss the validity concerns and methodological remedies and offer directions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongying Li
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (T.M.); (Y.D.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Tess Menotti
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (T.M.); (Y.D.)
| | - Yizhen Ding
- Department of Landscape Architecture and Urban Planning, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA; (T.M.); (Y.D.)
| | - Nancy M. Wells
- Department of Design and Environmental Analysis, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA;
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9
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Okechukwu CE. Role of Green Exercise in Mental Health Promotion Among Adolescents. Int J Prev Med 2020; 11:143. [PMID: 33088471 PMCID: PMC7554554 DOI: 10.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_262_19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 07/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Chidiebere E Okechukwu
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy
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10
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Chawla L. Childhood nature connection and constructive hope: A review of research on connecting with nature and coping with environmental loss. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Louise Chawla
- Program in Environmental Design University of Colorado Boulder CO USA
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11
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Prescott SL, Bland JS. Spaceship Earth Revisited: The Co-Benefits of Overcoming Biological Extinction of Experience at the Level of Person, Place and Planet. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17041407. [PMID: 32098222 PMCID: PMC7068540 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17041407] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2020] [Revised: 02/16/2020] [Accepted: 02/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Extensive research underscores that we interpret the world through metaphors; moreover, common metaphors are a useful means to enhance the pursuit of personal and collective goals. In the context of planetary health—defined as the interdependent vitality of all natural and anthropogenic ecosystems (social, political and otherwise)—one enduring metaphor can be found in the concept of “Spaceship Earth”. Although not without criticism, the term “Spaceship Earth” has been useful to highlight both resource limitations and the beauty and fragility of delicate ecosystems that sustain life. Rene Dubos, who helped popularize the term, underscored the need for an exposome perspective, one that examines the total accumulated environmental exposures (both detrimental and beneficial) that predict the biological responses of the “total organism to the total environment” over time. In other words, how large-scale environmental changes affect us all personally, albeit in individualized ways. This commentary focuses the ways in which microbes, as an essential part of all ecosystems, provide a vital link between personal and planetary systems, and mediate the biopsychosocial aspects of our individualized experience—and thus health—over our life course journey. A more fine-grained understanding of these dynamics and our power to change them, personally and collectively, lies at the core of restoring “ecosystems balance” for person, place and planet. In particular, restoring human connectedness to the natural world, sense of community and shared purpose must occur in tandem with technological solutions, and will enhance individual empowerment for personal well-being, as well as our collective potential to overcome our grand challenges. Such knowledge can help shape the use of metaphor and re-imagine solutions and novel ways for restoration or rewilding of ecosystems, and the values, behaviors and attitudes to light the path toward exiting the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan L. Prescott
- The ORIGINS Project, Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth Children’s Hospital, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- inVIVO Planetary Health of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, NJ 10704, USA;
- Correspondence:
| | - Jeffrey S. Bland
- inVIVO Planetary Health of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN), West New York, NJ 10704, USA;
- Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Institute, Tacoma, WA 98443, USA
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12
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Wood C, Barron D, Smyth N. The Current and Retrospective Intentional Nature Exposure Scales: Development and Factorial Validity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:ijerph16224443. [PMID: 31726784 PMCID: PMC6888483 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16224443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2019] [Revised: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 11/06/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Both nature exposure and green exercise (GE) can improve health. However, there are no scales examining frequency of engagement; or that consider interaction with nature. There are also no scales assessing these variables during childhood. The aim of this study was to develop a modified (NES-II) and retrospective (RNES-II) version of the Nature Exposure Scale to incorporate GE and to examine their factor structure and reliability. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) explored the factor structure of the scales; followed by confirmatory factor analysis to confirm the model fit. Fit indices for the one factor five item NES-II and RNES-II models identified by EFA were poor. Use of modification indices resulted in a good model fit; NES-II: χ(5, n = 385) = 2.638; χnormed = 0.879; CFI= 1.000; RMSEA < 0.001 with 90%CI = 0.000–0.082; SRMR = 0.009; AIC = 36.638. RNES-II: χ(2, n = 385) = 7.149; χnormed = 3.574; CFI = 0.995; RMSEA = 0.082 with 90%CI = 0.023–0.151; SRMR = 0.015; AIC = 43.149. Both models demonstrated very good reliability (α = 0.84; 89 respectively). These findings indicate that the scales can be used to assess current and retrospective nature exposure. However, due to the removal of item one, the authors recommend that the scales be named the ‘intentional nature exposure scale’ and ‘retrospective intentional nature exposure scale’.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carly Wood
- School of Life Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W6UW, UK
- Correspondence:
| | - David Barron
- Centre for Psychological Medicine, Perdana University, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Nina Smyth
- School of Social Sciences, University of Westminster, London W1W6UW, UK;
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