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Picanço A, Arroz AM, Tsafack N, Sánchez AF, Pereira E, De Benedictis M, Amorim IR, da Luz Melo M, Gabriel R. Assessing nature exposure: a study on the reliability and validity of a Portuguese version of the nature exposure scale. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1290066. [PMID: 38500647 PMCID: PMC10944915 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1290066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2024] [Indexed: 03/20/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Engaging with nature has been widely acknowledged for its positive impact on well-being. Traditionally, assessments of nature exposure focus on estimating green space exposure and outdoor time. However, the Nature Exposure Scale (NES) offers a unique approach by evaluating the quality of nature experiences, encompassing both deliberate and spontaneous encounters. Methods This study aimed to assess the validity and reliability of the NES in the context of Portugal. Exploratory Factor Analysis (PCA) and Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) were employed to examine the underlying structure of the scale. Additionally, reliability assessments, along with tests of convergent and divergent validity, were conducted. Data were collected from a sample of 558 adults and 241 adolescents between 2016 and 2018. Results The findings revealed strong internal consistency of the NES, supported by acceptable correlation values and robust factor loadings within a unidimensional model. The scale effectively predicted variations in nature exposure across diverse professional activities. Discussion In summary, the 4-item NES emerged as a reliable tool for assessing nature exposure in various settings, effectively bridging a gap in the Portuguese context. The scale demonstrated potential for cross-cultural research and was particularly adept at predicting nature exposure in different professional contexts. The results suggest that the NES can enhance our understanding of the impact of nature on well-being in diverse cultural settings. Conclusion The study underscores the reliability of the NES in assessing nature exposure in Portugal, paving the way for further exploration in Portuguese-speaking regions. The scale holds promise for advancing research on the relationship between nature and well-being, contributing valuable insights across different cultural contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Picanço
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Ana Moura Arroz
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Noelline Tsafack
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
- Avignon Université, Aix Marseille Université, CNRS, IRD, IMBE, Avignon, France
| | - Ana Fuentes Sánchez
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Enésima Pereira
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Marta De Benedictis
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Isabel R. Amorim
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
| | - Maria da Luz Melo
- Núcleo de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em e-Saúde, Escola Superior de Saúde da UAc, Azores, Portugal
| | - Rosalina Gabriel
- cE3c/GBA–Centre for Ecology, Evolution and Environmental Changes and CHANGE–Global Change and Sustainability Institute/Azorean Biodiversity Group and University of the Azores, Azores, Portugal
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Brossoit RM, Crain TL, Leslie JJ, Fisher GG, Eakman AM. Engaging with nature and work: associations among the built and natural environment, experiences outside, and job engagement and creativity. Front Psychol 2024; 14:1268962. [PMID: 38274672 PMCID: PMC10808437 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1268962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction There is substantial evidence that contact with nature is related to positive health and well-being outcomes, but extensions of this research to work-related outcomes is sparse. Some organizations are redesigning workspaces to incorporate nature and adopting nature-related policies, warranting a need for empirical studies that test the influence of nature on employee outcomes. Methods The present mixed-methods study tests and extends the biophilic work design model to examine associations among the built and natural environment at work and home, experiences of time spent outside (i.e., amount of time outside, enjoyment of time outside, outdoor activities), and motivational work outcomes (i.e., job engagement and creativity). Objective geographic data were combined with quantitative and qualitative survey responses from working adults (N = 803). Results Our results broadly indicate that individuals who work and live in areas with greater natural amenities (i.e., access to water, topographic variation, temperate climates) spend more time outside and enjoy time outside to a greater degree, and these experiences are in turn associated with greater engagement and creativity at work. We did not find evidence that the surrounding built environment (i.e., urbanity) at work or home was associated with outdoor experiences or work-related outcomes. Additionally, six categories of outdoor activities were identified in the qualitative analyses - leisure activities, relaxation, physical activities, social interactions, tasks and errands, and travel. Discussion The findings from this study provide evidence that the natural environment, particularly at home, can benefit work-related outcomes via greater time and enjoyment of time outside. This study has implications for employee time use and organizational effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca M. Brossoit
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, United States
| | - Tori L. Crain
- Department of Psychology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jordyn J. Leslie
- Department of Psychology, Portland State University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Gwenith G. Fisher
- Department of Psychology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
- Colorado School of Public Health, Aurora, CO, United States
| | - Aaron M. Eakman
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, United States
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Söderlund C, de la Fuente Suárez LA, Tillander A, Toivanen S, Bälter K. The outdoor office: a pilot study of environmental qualities, experiences of office workers, and work-related well-being. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1214338. [PMID: 38169869 PMCID: PMC10758605 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1214338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Outdoor office work is an emerging aspect of the concept of 'new ways of working', but only sparse data are available about the environmental qualities of the outdoor office space, experiences of office workers, and work-related well-being of outdoor office work. Here, we present an exploratory pilot study on well-being and outdoor office work in a public urban space. An outdoor office was set up in the courtyard of a university campus, and the participants (n = 16) conducted office work outdoors for 30 min and thereafter participated in an eye-tracking session for 11-15 min (n = 8) and subsequently filled out surveys (n = 16). The eye tracker allowed the discovery of natural and built elements in the outdoor environment that caught the participants' visual attention, whereas the surveys assessed aspects of their subjective experiences of the outdoor office space (its visual and spatial qualities) and the work there. The results are presented as network graphs where correlations are shown regarding different aspects of office work outdoors. The results indicate that outdoor office work in a public urban space may promote work-related well-being in terms of positive outdoor office space experiences. Based on the findings, a preliminary set of outdoor office qualities is proposed. Those qualities relate to the legibility and imageability of the outdoor office space, its focal points, and depth/spaciousness, in addition to attributes of usability and environmental richness, including if the outdoor office space affords natural contact and supports activities, in addition to social and individual interactions and relations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Söderlund
- School of Innovation, Design and Engineering, the Division of Information Design, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
| | | | - Annika Tillander
- The Division of Statistics and Machine Learning, Department of Computer and Information Science, Linköping University, Linköping, Östergötland, Sweden
| | - Susanna Toivanen
- School of Health and Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
| | - Katarina Bälter
- School of Health and Welfare, Mälardalen University, Västerås, Sweden
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
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Zhang C, Ma X, Liu L. The Effect of Passion for Outdoor Activities on Employee Well-Being Using Nature Connectedness as the Mediating Variable and Environmental Identity as the Moderating Variable. Psychol Res Behav Manag 2023; 16:4883-4896. [PMID: 38077165 PMCID: PMC10709103 DOI: 10.2147/prbm.s436612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Although prior research has found outdoor activities to be an important effect on employee well-being, the mechanisms of their effect are understudied. This study integrated the Broaden-and-Build Theory, Attention Restoration Theory and Cognitive Assessment Theory to examine the relation between passion for outdoor activities (two dimensions, namely, harmonious passion, obsessive passion) and employee well-being (three dimensions, namely, life well-being, workplace well-being, psychological well-being) by the mediating role of nature connectedness and the moderating role of environmental identity. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS Data were collected from 403 employees of Guangxi enterprises in China. The structural equation model was constructed using AMOS and SmartPLS to test the hypotheses proposed in this study. RESULTS Our results confirm that harmonious passion for outdoor activities had a positive effect on employee nature connectedness, workplace well-being and psychological well-being. Obsessive passion for outdoor activities had a negative effect on employee nature connectedness, life well-being and psychological well-being. Natural connectedness has a positive effect on all three dimensions of employee well-being. Nature connectedness mediates between harmonious passion for outdoor activities and all three dimensions of employee well-being. Environmental identity positively moderated the relationship between nature connectedness and the three dimensions of employee well-being. Harmonious passion for outdoor activities has no direct effect on employee life well-being. Obsessive passion for outdoor activities had no direct effect on employee workplace well-being. CONCLUSION This study reveals the mechanism of passion for outdoor activities on employee well-being from a new perspective and unveils that the two dimensions of passion for outdoor activities have different effects on employees' life well-being, workplace well-being, and psychological well-being. Business managers should give attention to the benefits of outdoor activities and nature connectedness for their employees, through which they can relieve stress at work, recover attention and improve well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunyu Zhang
- School of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Xiao Ma
- School of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, People’s Republic of China
| | - Liping Liu
- School of Economics and Management, Guangxi Normal University, Guilin, 541006, People’s Republic of China
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Neil AL, Pryor A, Kneebone J, Flies EJ. Outdoor mental healthcare: What, who, why and where to? Australas Psychiatry 2023; 31:798-805. [PMID: 37970826 DOI: 10.1177/10398562231211110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Objective: Outdoor mental healthcare can increase the breadth of multidisciplinary interventions available to people with a therapeutic need. The aim of this article is to educate readers about the field of outdoor mental healthcare through the exploration of a series of basic questions.Conclusions: Outdoor mental healthcare spans a range of therapies that apply a variety of theoretical approaches and treatments across a multiplicity of settings, patient groups and desired outcomes unified by key evidence-informed practice elements. Through use of a predominantly non-mainstream workforce working in non-conventional clinical settings outdoor mental healthcare may contribute to treatment accessibility and acceptability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Neil
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- The ALIVE National Centre for Mental Health Research Translation, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Anita Pryor
- Adventure Works Australia, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Outdoor Health Policy Unit, Australian Association for Bush Adventure Therapy, Templestowe, VIC, Australia; and
- Australian Association of Family Therapy Inc., Tasmanian Branch
| | - Jessica Kneebone
- Tasmanian Aboriginal Corporation, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- Menzies Institute for Medical Research, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
| | - Emily J Flies
- School of Natural Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
- School of Geography, Planning and Spatial Sciences, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia; and
- Healthy Landscapes Research Group, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS, Australia
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González-Rico P, Guerrero-Barona E, Chambel MJ, Guerrero-Molina M. Well-Being at Work: Burnout and Engagement Profiles of University Workers. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192315436. [PMID: 36497511 PMCID: PMC9735735 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The main objective of this study is to analyze well-being at work, considering burnout and engagement distributed in profiles, and to observe how they relate to well-being outside work. The data came from a representative sample of workers (n = 565) at the University of Extremadura (Spain), both teaching and research academic staff (TRAS) and service and administrative staff (SAS). We performed the data analysis by using latent profile analysis, and the results show evidence that workers from both groups were distributed across four profiles. As expected, we verified that workers in the profile with high burnout and low engagement had lower well-being outside work than workers in the profile with high engagement and low burnout. We also observed that engagement mitigated the negative effects of burnout on workers in profiles with moderate levels of burnout, who showed better well-being outside work when they had higher engagement. These differences are discussed, and their practical implications and suggestions for future research are provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo González-Rico
- Business Management Department, University CEU San Pablo, 28003 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Maria José Chambel
- Facultade de Psicologia, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-013 Lisbon, Portugal
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Chan PH, Howard J, Eva N, Tse HH. A systematic review of at-work recovery and a framework for future research. JOURNAL OF VOCATIONAL BEHAVIOR 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jvb.2022.103747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
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8
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Ho PL, Li TW, Liu H, Yeung TF, Hou WK. Testing a New Protocol of Nature-Based Intervention to Enhance Well-Being: A Randomized Control Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19073931. [PMID: 35409619 PMCID: PMC8998013 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19073931] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This study aims to test the associations of nature contact with multiple dimensions of psychological functioning. A total of 90 university employees were randomly assigned to spend their lunch breaks on (1) a 30-min structured protocol of nature contact and (2) a control group for 10 consecutive weekdays. Psychological distress, psychological well-being, and work-related psychological outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3). Mixed-design analyses of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Overall, significant intervention effects were found in the structured protocol of nature contact on psychological distress, well-being outcomes, and work engagement (all p < 0.05), whereas the 3-month post-intervention effects were non-significant. Our study showed that nature-based activities during lunch breaks could enhance office workers’ mental health in general, but the effects could be short-lived, calling for regular nature-based programs in occupational settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Po Lam Ho
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (P.L.H.); (T.W.L.); (H.L.); (T.F.Y.)
| | - Tsz Wai Li
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (P.L.H.); (T.W.L.); (H.L.); (T.F.Y.)
| | - Huinan Liu
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (P.L.H.); (T.W.L.); (H.L.); (T.F.Y.)
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Tsun Fung Yeung
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (P.L.H.); (T.W.L.); (H.L.); (T.F.Y.)
| | - Wai Kai Hou
- Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; (P.L.H.); (T.W.L.); (H.L.); (T.F.Y.)
- Department of Psychology, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +852-2948-8841
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Trammell JP, Aguilar SC. Natural Is Not Always Better: The Varied Effects of a Natural Environment and Exercise on Affect and Cognition. Front Psychol 2021; 11:575245. [PMID: 33584411 PMCID: PMC7873912 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.575245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The Attention Restoration Theory (ART) has been widely cited to account for beneficial effects of natural environments on affect and attention. However, the effects of environment and exercise are not consistent. In a within-subjects design, participants completed affective and cognitive measures that varied in attentional demands (memory, working memory, and executive function) both before and after exercise in a natural and indoor environment. Contrary to the hypotheses, a natural environment resulted in lower positive affect and no difference in negative affect compared to an indoor environment. A natural environment resulted in the most improvement for cognitive tasks that required moderate attentional demand: Trail Making Test A and Digit Span Forwards. As predicted, exercise resulted in improved affect and improved executive function (Trail Making Test B). There were no interactions between environment and exercise. These results suggest that ART cannot fully explain the influence of environment on affect and cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janet P Trammell
- Social Science Department, Seaver College, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
| | - Shaya C Aguilar
- Social Science Department, Seaver College, Pepperdine University, Malibu, CA, United States
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Lotan Mesika S, Wengrower H, Maoz H. Waking up the bear: dance/movement therapy group model with depressed adult patients during Covid-19 2020. BODY MOVEMENT AND DANCE IN PSYCHOTHERAPY 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/17432979.2021.1879269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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Luís S, Dias R, Lima ML. Greener Schoolyards, Greener Futures? Greener Schoolyards Buffer Decreased Contact With Nature and Are Linked to Connectedness to Nature. Front Psychol 2020; 11:567882. [PMID: 33281670 PMCID: PMC7691232 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.567882] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Children are spending less time in nature. They are not taking advantage of the benefits that are related to experiencing nature, such as the improvement of attentional capacity and stress reduction. Furthermore, they are also losing the opportunity to assess nature in a more positive way and to become more connected to nature, factors that appear to be fundamental to securing a greener future. To overcome this problem, researchers have been focusing on increasing children’s contact with nature in schools and in promoting garden-based learning programs. Children spend most of their time in school, where they face many cognitive and relational demands. As such, schools might be the ideal context to increase children’s contact with nature with more empirical research being needed to understand the effects that greener schools might have. The goal of this study is to explore the effects of schoolyards in children’s perceived restorativeness experiences, attitudes towards nature, connection to nature, and social competences. For that, we studied children (N = 132) from three elementary schools with different schoolyards: a school with cement yard with a few trees, a school with green areas, and a school where many parts of the yard were earthen and there was a vegetable garden that the students could cultivate as part of an ongoing garden-based learning program. The results of a questionnaire confirmed that greener schoolyards were related to stronger restorative experiences. As such, children might benefit from improving their attentional capacity during breaks. Unexpectedly, the perceived restorativeness effect was stronger for children who usually had lesser contact with nature than for children who contacted more with nature. This suggests that having schools with green yards might buffer some of the effects of reduced contacts with nature outside of school. The effects of the schoolyard in children’s social competences did not appear to emerge. However, children that attended the school with the greener schoolyard had more positive attitudes and were more connected to nature than children from the other two schools. This further suggests that designing greener schoolyards might be an opportunity to contribute to reversing global environmental challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sílvia Luís
- Centro de Administração e Políticas Públicas (CAPP-ISCSP), Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas (ISCSP), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Centro de Investigação e de Intervenção Social (CIS-IUL), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ronisa Dias
- Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Iscte), Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Maria Luísa Lima
- Centro de Administração e Políticas Públicas (CAPP-ISCSP), Instituto Superior de Ciências Sociais e Políticas (ISCSP), Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Iscte-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (Iscte), Lisbon, Portugal
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Aguilar-Nájera O, Zamora-Nava LE, Grajales-Figueroa G, Valdovinos-Díaz MÁ, Téllez-Ávila FI. Prevalence of burnout syndrome in gastroenterologists and endoscopists: results of a national survey in Mexico. Postgrad Med 2020; 132:275-281. [PMID: 31922437 DOI: 10.1080/00325481.2019.1707486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Burnout syndrome (BOS) is characterized by emotional exhaustion, depersonalization and reduced personal accomplishment. It affects doctors, patients and their inter-relationship. There is a lack of data on BOS in Mexico. The main objective of the present study is to evaluate the prevalence of BOS in physician members of the Mexican gastroenterological association (MGA) and Mexican association for gastrointestinal endoscopy (MAGE). MATERIALS AND METHODS Cross sectional, prospective study through anonymous electronic survey via e-mail, sent to members of the MGA (n = 1192) and MAGE (n = 600). The survey included questions about basic sociodemographic information, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and factors potentially associated with BOS. Continuous variables were summarized as means and ANOVA or Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare groups. Nominal variables were summarized as proportions and Fisher's exact test or Χ2 test were used, as appropriate. RESULTS A total of 1792 e-mail invitations were delivered and 411 answers were received with a response rate of 22.9%. The prevalence of BOS according to the Maslach Burnout Inventory was 26.3% (108/411). The prevalence of BOS according to the single-item self-defined burnout question (SISDBOQ) was 32.6% (134/411). The Kappa coefficient for emotional exhaustion between the SISDBOQ and Maslach inventory was 0.48 (p = 0.0001). Factors associated with BOS included performing endoscopic procedures (OR 2.9 (1.2-6.6); p = 0.008), lack of support from colleagues upon complications (OR 0.2 (0.1-0.4); p = 0.0001), receiving frequent reprimands from superiors (OR 2.4 (1.5-3.8); p = 0.0001), work unrelated to medicine (OR 2.4 (1.4-3.9); p = 0.0001), work violence/harassment (OR 3.0 (1.9-4.9); p = 0.0001) and living in a big city (OR 1.9 (1.2-3); p = 0.005). CONCLUSION BOS is a frequent entity in Mexican gastroenterologists and endoscopists. There are potentially modifiable factors associated with BOS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Octavio Aguilar-Nájera
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Luis Eduardo Zamora-Nava
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Guido Grajales-Figueroa
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Miguel Ángel Valdovinos-Díaz
- Department of Gastroenterology, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Félix Ignacio Téllez-Ávila
- Department of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán , Mexico City, Mexico
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Olszewska-Guizzo A, Sia A, Fogel A, Ho R. Can Exposure to Certain Urban Green Spaces Trigger Frontal Alpha Asymmetry in the Brain?-Preliminary Findings from a Passive Task EEG Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17020394. [PMID: 31936083 PMCID: PMC7014001 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17020394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence from observational and experimental studies shows the associations between exposure to urban green spaces (UGSs) and mental health outcomes. Little is known about which specific features of UGS that might be the most beneficial. In addition, there is potential in utilizing objective physiological markers of mental health, such as assessing brain activity, but the subject requires further investigation. This paper presents the preliminary findings from an on-going within-subject experiment where adult participants (n = 22; 13 females) were passively exposed to six landscape scenes within two UGSs (a park and a neighborhood green space) and three scenes of a busy urban downtown (control site). The landscape scenes were pre-selected based on their contemplative landscape score (CLS) to represent different levels of aggregation of contemplative features within each view. Participants went to each of the sites in a random order to passively view the scenes, while their electroencephalography (EEG) signal was being recorded concurrently. Frontal alpha asymmetry (FAA) values, commonly associated with the approach-related motivation and positive emotions, were extracted. The preliminary results show trends for the main effect of site on FAA, suggestive of stronger FAA in park compared to the control site, akin to more positive mood. There was also a trend for the interaction between the site and scene, which suggests that even within the individual sites, there is variability depending on the specific scene. Adjusting for environmental covariate strengthened these effects, these interim findings are promising in supporting the study hypothesis and suggest that exposure to urban green spaces may be linked to mental health outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) MD6, 14 Medical Drive, #14-01, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- NeuroLandscape Foundation, Suwalska 8/78, 03-252 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +65-914-08707
| | - Angelia Sia
- National Parks Board, Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, 1E Cluny Road Singapore Botanic Gardens, Singapore 259601, Singapore;
| | - Anna Fogel
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, 12 Science Drive 2, Tahir Foundation Building #12, Singapore 117549, Singapore;
| | - Roger Ho
- Institute for Health Innovation & Technology (iHealthtech) MD6, 14 Medical Drive, #14-01, Singapore 117599, Singapore;
- Department of Psychological Medicine, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, the National University of Singapore, NUHS Tower Block, Level 9 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore
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