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Song C, Cao S, Luo H, Huang Y, Jiang S, Guo B, Li N, Li K, Zhang P, Zhu C, Fu E, Jiang M, Li X. Effects of simulated multi-sensory stimulation integration on physiological and psychological restoration in virtual urban green space environment. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1382143. [PMID: 38966742 PMCID: PMC11223631 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1382143] [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: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024] Open
Abstract
Virtual urban green environment images and audio stimuli had been proven to have restorative effects on subjects' physical and mental health. In this area, researchers predominantly focused on visual, auditory and olfactory aspects, while tactile and gustatory senses have been minimally explored. However, the optimal combination of sensory stimuli for promoting physical and mental recovery remains unclear. Therefore, a simulated sensory stimulation approach involving 240 participants was employed, with 30 individuals included in each of the eight experimental groups: the visual-auditory (VA), visual-auditory-olfactory (VAO), visual-auditory-tactile (VAT), visual-auditory-gustatory(VAG), visual-auditory-olfactory-tactile (VAOT), visual-auditory-olfactory-gustatory (VAOG), visual-auditory-tactile-gustatory (VATG), and visual-auditory-olfactory-tactile-gustatory (VAOTG) groups. This study aimed to explore the differences in participants' physiological and psychological health recovery after exposure to different combinations of simulated sensory stimuli in virtual UGSs. The results indicated that the following: (1) In terms of physiological recovery, the blood pressure of the 8 experimental groups decreased significantly after the experiment, indicating that the virtual urban green space environment has a certain recovery effect on physiological state. The combination of VAOTG stimuli in the multisensory group resulted in the best blood pressure recovery (p < 0.05). Tactile is an important sense to enhance the physiological recovery effect. Olfactory-tactile or tactile-gustatory stimuli interactions significantly enhance physiological recovery, emphasizing the importance of tactile stimulation in improving physiological recovery. (2) In terms of psychological recovery, the common trigger of olfactory-gustatory is the most key element to enhance psychological recovery through multi-sensory stimulation of virtual urban green space environment. VAOG stimulation had the best effect on psychological recovery (p < 0.05), followed by VAOTG stimulation (p < 0.05). Gustatory is an important sense to enhance the psychological recovery effect, and both the tactile-gustatory interaction and the olfactory-gustatory interaction significantly enhance the recovery effect. At the same time, the psychological recovery effect obtained by four or more sensory combinations was higher than that obtained by two or three sensory stimulation groups. This study confirms more possibilities for ways to restore physical and mental health through virtual natural environments. It expands the research on the benefits of virtual nature experience and provides theoretical support for the application of this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chen Song
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Saixin Cao
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Hao Luo
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Silviculture, Protection and Utilization, Guangdong Academy of Forestry, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yinghui Huang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Siwei Jiang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Baimeng Guo
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Nian Li
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Kai Li
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunyan Zhu
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Erkang Fu
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Mingyan Jiang
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
| | - Xi Li
- College of Landscape Architecture, Sichuan Agricultural University, Chengdu, China
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2
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Risqiwati D, Wibawa AD, Pane ES, Yuniarno EM, Islamiyah WR, Purnomo MH. Effective relax acquisition: a novel approach to classify relaxed state in alpha band EEG-based transformation. Brain Inform 2024; 11:12. [PMID: 38740660 DOI: 10.1186/s40708-024-00225-y] [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: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024] Open
Abstract
A relaxed state is essential for effective hypnotherapy, a crucial component of mental health treatments. During hypnotherapy sessions, neurologists rely on the patient's relaxed state to introduce positive suggestions. While EEG is a widely recognized method for detecting human emotions, analyzing EEG data presents challenges due to its multi-channel, multi-band nature, leading to high-dimensional data. Furthermore, determining the onset of relaxation remains challenging for neurologists. This paper presents the Effective Relax Acquisition (ERA) method designed to identify the beginning of a relaxed state. ERA employs sub-band sampling within the Alpha band for the frequency domain and segments the data into four-period groups for the time domain analysis. Data enhancement strategies include using Window Length (WL) and Overlapping Shifting Windows (OSW) scenarios. Dimensionality reduction is achieved through Principal Component Analysis (PCA) by prioritizing the most significant eigenvector values. Our experimental results indicate that the relaxed state is predominantly observable in the high Alpha sub-band, particularly within the fourth period group. The ERA demonstrates high accuracy with a WL of 3 s and OSW of 0.25 s using the KNN classifier (90.63%). These findings validate the effectiveness of ERA in accurately identifying relaxed states while managing the complexity of EEG data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diah Risqiwati
- Departement of Electrical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia
- Departement of Informatics, Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Tlogomas, Malang, 65144, Indonesia
| | - Adhi Dharma Wibawa
- Departement of Electrical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia
- Medical Technology, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia
| | - Evi Septiana Pane
- Industrial Training and Education of Surabaya, Ministry of Industry RI, Gayungan, Surabaya, 60235, Indonesia
| | - Eko Mulyanto Yuniarno
- Departement of Electrical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia
- Departement of Computer Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia
| | - Wardah Rahmatul Islamiyah
- Neurology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Airlangga, Gubeng, Surabaya, 60131, Indonesia
| | - Mauridhi Hery Purnomo
- Departement of Electrical Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia.
- Departement of Computer Engineering, Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember, Keputih, Surabaya, 60111, Indonesia.
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Aletta F, Xiao J, Kang J. Identifying barriers to engage with soundscape standards: Insights from national standards bodies and expertsa). JASA EXPRESS LETTERS 2024; 4:047401. [PMID: 38558235 DOI: 10.1121/10.0025454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
This study explores the engagement of national standards bodies and practitioners with the ISO 12913 series on soundscape. It reveals critical challenges in stakeholder engagement, communication, competence, and practical application. A strategic roadmap, aligned with the normalization process theory, is proposed, comprising meaningful stakeholder engagement, building workability and integration, and community building and reflective monitoring. Results underscore the influence of national priorities, communication gaps, limited resources, and the need for practical guidance. Future efforts should focus on promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration and developing tools to quantify the societal and economic impact of soundscape interventions, addressing the multifaceted barriers identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Aletta
- Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jieling Xiao
- College of Architecture, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, United , ,
| | - Jian Kang
- Bartlett School of Environment, Energy and Resources, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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White MP, Hartig T, Martin L, Pahl S, van den Berg AE, Wells NM, Costongs C, Dzhambov AM, Elliott LR, Godfrey A, Hartl A, Konijnendijk C, Litt JS, Lovell R, Lymeus F, O'Driscoll C, Pichler C, Pouso S, Razani N, Secco L, Steininger MO, Stigsdotter UK, Uyarra M, van den Bosch M. Nature-based biopsychosocial resilience: An integrative theoretical framework for research on nature and health. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108234. [PMID: 37832260 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
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 personally resilient to a variety of 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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathew P White
- Cognitive Science HUB, University of Vienna, Austria; European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK.
| | - Terry Hartig
- Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | - Leanne Martin
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Sabine Pahl
- Urban and Environmental Psychology Group, University of Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Nancy M Wells
- Department of Human Centered Design, College of Human Ecology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, United States
| | | | - Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Environmental Health Division, Research Institute at Medical University of Plovdiv, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
| | - Lewis R Elliott
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | | | - Arnulf Hartl
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Jill S Litt
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Ciber on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
| | - Rebecca Lovell
- European Centre for Environment & Human Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Freddie Lymeus
- Institute for Housing and Urban Research, Uppsala University, Sweden; Department of Psychology, Uppsala University, Sweden
| | | | - Christina Pichler
- Institute of Ecomedicine, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Sarai Pouso
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Nooshin Razani
- University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Laura Secco
- Department of Territorio e Sistemi Agro-Forestali (TESAF), University of Padua, Padua, Italy
| | | | - Ulrika K Stigsdotter
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Denmark
| | - Maria Uyarra
- AZTI, Marine Research, Basque Research and Technology Alliance (BRTA), Herrera Kaia, Portualdea z/g, 20110 Pasaia, Gipuzkoa, Spain
| | - Matilda van den Bosch
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona, Spain; Ciber on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Miller-Viacava N, Lazard D, Delmas T, Krause B, Apoux F, Lorenzi C. Sensorineural hearing loss alters auditory discrimination of natural soundscapes. Int J Audiol 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37909429 DOI: 10.1080/14992027.2023.2272559] [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: 01/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The ability to discriminate natural soundscapes recorded in a temperate terrestrial biome was measured in 15 hearing-impaired (HI) listeners with bilateral, mild to severe sensorineural hearing loss and 15 normal-hearing (NH) controls. DESIGN Soundscape discrimination was measured using a three-interval oddity paradigm and the method of constant stimuli. On each trial, sequences of 2-second recordings varying the habitat, season and period of the day were presented diotically at a nominal SPL of 60 or 80 dB. RESULTS Discrimination scores were above chance level for both groups, but they were poorer for HI than NH listeners. On average, the scores of HI listeners were relatively well accounted for by those of NH listeners tested with stimuli spectrally-shaped to match the frequency-dependent reduction in audibility of individual HI listeners. However, the scores of HI listeners were not significantly correlated with pure-tone audiometric thresholds and age. CONCLUSIONS These results indicate that the ability to discriminate natural soundscapes associated with changes in habitat, season and period of the day is disrupted but it is not abolished. The deficits of the HI listeners are partly accounted for by reduced audibility. Supra-threshold auditory deficits and individual listening strategies may also explain differences between NH and HI listeners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Miller-Viacava
- Laboratoire des systèmes perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École normale supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL University), Paris, France
| | - Diane Lazard
- Institut de l'Audition, INSERM Unit, Paris, France
- Institut Arthur Vernes, ENT Department, Paris, France
| | - Tanguy Delmas
- Institut de l'Audition, INSERM Unit, Paris, France
- Audition Lefeuvre, ECLEAR, Athis-Mons, France
| | - Bernie Krause
- Wild Sanctuary, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, California, USA
| | - Frédéric Apoux
- Laboratoire des systèmes perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École normale supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL University), Paris, France
| | - Christian Lorenzi
- Laboratoire des systèmes perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d'Etudes Cognitives, École normale supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL University), Paris, France
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6
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Gonçalves G, Sousa C, Fernandes MJ, Almeida N, Sousa A. Restorative Effects of Biophilic Workplace and Nature Exposure during Working Time: A Systematic Review. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6986. [PMID: 37947544 PMCID: PMC10650875 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20216986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 10/24/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The work environment plays a crucial role in the health and performance of employees. The growing interest in workers' well-being has driven the inclusion of nature in workplaces, despite many employees spending most of their time indoors, away from nature. Studies show that biophilic design in offices can have positive effects and promote workers' well-being. However, research on the beneficial effects of nature exposure in the workplace is limited and scattered. Thus, the aim of this systematic review was to consolidate current knowledge on the restorative effects of nature exposure on workers during work activities. Different types of exposure, both outdoors and indoors, were considered, with a focus on outcomes related to well-being, motivation, job satisfaction, and work performance. Out of the initially identified 1225 articles, only 16 met the criteria for analysis. Although the analysed studies provided compelling evidence regarding the restorative effects of nature exposure in the workplace, the review also points out gaps and limitations concerning the number of specific studies in this area and the need to adequately assess the sensory dimensions involved in these effects. Conducting more comprehensive and multidimensional investigations into the impacts of nature on the work environment could contribute to guiding more effective design strategies and creating healthier and more productive workplaces for employees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriela Gonçalves
- Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
- Centre for Research in Psychology (CIP/UAL), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Cátia Sousa
- Centre for Research in Psychology (CIP/UAL), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
- Higher School of Management, Hospitality and Tourism, University of Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - Maria Jacinta Fernandes
- Faculty of Sciences and Technology, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
| | - Nuno Almeida
- Department of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, University of Algarve, Campus de Gambelas, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
- Centre for Research in Psychology (CIP/UAL), University of Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - António Sousa
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Higher Institute of Engineering, University of Algarve, Campus da Penha, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal;
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Zhang R. Research and evaluation on students' emotional attachment to campus landscape renewal coupling emotional attachment scale and public sentiment analysis: a case study of the "Heart of Forest" in Beijing Forestry University. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1250441. [PMID: 37823071 PMCID: PMC10562855 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1250441] [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: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/28/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023] Open
Abstract
In the era of stock renewal, the construction of university campuses in China's first-tier cities has shifted from demolition and construction to renewal and upgrading, in which public landscape space is the main environment for students' daily life, learning and entertainment. Especially during the outbreak of the recent COVID-19 epidemic, it has become an important way for students to interact with nature and obtain emotional healing. In the existing studies, there is a lack of discussion on the correlation between the spatial characteristics of the updated campus landscape and students' emotional attachment, and there are few quantitative studies. Based on this, this paper takes the "Heart of Forest" landscape space as an example, and integrates multi-dimensional quantitative methods including emotional attachment scale and public semantic analysis to study and evaluate the characteristics of landscape space that affect students' emotional attachment. The results show that: (1) Overall, the landscape space renewal of the Heart of Forest provides students with positive emotional experiences and effectively enhances students' emotional attachment as well as sense of belonging to the campus. (2) Among them, the material characteristics of the site including nature-related elements, materials, structures play a positive role in promoting the vast majority of students in the process of establishing emotional attachment, which is particularly obvious for students majoring in landscape, architecture and urban planning. (3) Whether the public social space can effectively provide students with a good emotional experience is closely related to the frequency and purpose of students' use of the space. (4) The interactive characteristics such as changeability and playability fail to promote emotional attachment because of lacking of management and maintenance. The renewal and transformation of the "Heart of Forest" landscape space is generally successful in promoting students' emotional attachment, and provides a reference for the future campus landscape renewal design from different angles. In addition, the quantitative study of emotional attachment constructed in this paper coupled with multi-dimensional data provides a method for the evaluation of students' emotional experience of campus landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoshi Zhang
- School of Landscape Architecture, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing, China
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8
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Dzhambov AM, Lercher P, Vincens N, Persson Waye K, Klatte M, Leist L, Lachmann T, Schreckenberg D, Belke C, Ristovska G, Kanninen KM, Botteldooren D, Van Renterghem T, Jeram S, Selander J, Arat A, White K, Julvez J, Clark C, Foraster M, van Kamp I. Protective effect of restorative possibilities on cognitive function and mental health in children and adolescents: A scoping review including the role of physical activity. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 233:116452. [PMID: 37339694 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 04/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The exposome approach can be a powerful tool for understanding the intertwining of social, physical, and internal influences that shape mental health and cognitive development throughout childhood. To distil conceptual models for subsequent analyses, the EU-funded project Early Environmental quality and Life-course mental health effects (Equal-Life) has conducted literature reviews on potential mediators linking the exposome to these outcomes. We report on a scoping review and a conceptual model of the role of restorative possibilities and physical activity. Methods Peer-reviewed studies published since the year 2000 in English, on the association between the exposome and mental health/cognition in children/adolescents, and quantitatively investigating restoration/restorative quality as a mediating variable were considered. Database searches were last updated in December 2022. We used an unstructured expert-driven approach to fill in gaps in the reviewed literature. Results Five records of three distinct studies were identified, indicating a scarcity of empirical evidence in this newly developing research area. Not only were these studies few in numbers, but also cross-sectional, lending only tentative support to the idea that perceived restorative quality of adolescent's living environment might mediate the association between greenspace and mental health. Physical activity emerged as a mediator leading to better psychological outcomes in restorative environments. We provide a critical discussion of potential caveats when investigating the restoration mechanism in children and propose a hierarchical model including restoration, physical activity, and relational dynamics between children and their environment, including social context, as well as restorative environments other than nature. Conclusions It is justified to further explore the role of restoration and physical activity as mediators in the association between early-life exposome and mental health/cognitive development. It is important to consider the child perspective and specific methodological caveats. Given the evolving conceptual definitions/operationalizations, Equal-Life will attempt to fill in a critical gap in the literature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angel M Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria; Research Group "Health and Quality of Life in a Green and Sustainable Environment", SRIPD, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria.
| | - Peter Lercher
- Institute of Highway Engineering and Transport Planning, Graz University of Technology, Graz, Austria
| | - Natalia Vincens
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Persson Waye
- School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Institute of Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Maria Klatte
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Larisa Leist
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany
| | - Thomas Lachmann
- Cognitive and Developmental Psychology, University of Kaiserslautern-Landau, Kaiserslautern, Germany; Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición, Facultad de Lenguas y Educacion, Universidad Nebrija, Madrid, Spain
| | - Dirk Schreckenberg
- Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research (ZEUS GmbH), Hagen, Germany
| | - Christin Belke
- Centre for Applied Psychology, Environmental and Social Research (ZEUS GmbH), Hagen, Germany
| | - Gordana Ristovska
- Institute of Public Health of the Republic of North Macedonia, Skopje, Macedonia
| | - Katja M Kanninen
- A.I.Virtanen Institute for Molecular Medicine, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Dick Botteldooren
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Timothy Van Renterghem
- Department of Information Technology, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sonja Jeram
- National Institute of Public Health, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jenny Selander
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Arzu Arat
- Unit of Occupational Medicine, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kim White
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
| | - Jordi Julvez
- Institut d'Investigació Sanitària Pere Virgili (IISPV), Clinical and Epidemiological Neuroscience Group (NeuroÈpia), Reus, Spain; ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Charlotte Clark
- Population Health Research Institute, St George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Foraster
- ISGlobal, Barcelona, Spain; Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF), Spain; CIBER Epidemiología y Salud Pública (CIBEREsp), Spain; PHAGEX Research Group, Blanquerna School of Health Science, Universitat Ramon Llull (URL), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Irene van Kamp
- National Institute for Public Health and the Environment, Netherlands
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Aletta F, Oberman T, Mitchell A, Erfanian M, Kang J. Soundscape experience of public spaces in different world regions: A comparison between the European and Chinese contexts via a large-scale on-site surveya). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:1710-1734. [PMID: 37712752 DOI: 10.1121/10.0020842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
The influence of cultural background on the soundscape experience in public spaces has been widely acknowledged. However, most studies have not used standardized protocols for soundscape perception data collection, nor have they gathered large datasets across different regions of the world to investigate possible cultural differences. This study explored the relationships between soundscape descriptors, perceived dominance of sound sources, and overall soundscape qualities and whether these relationships differ across world regions. A database of over 2000 soundscape surveys was collected in situ in outdoor public spaces in Europe and China. Results highlighted differences in how European and Chinese participants perceived the pleasantness and dominance of different sound sources. Specifically, the positive correlation between perceived pleasantness and natural sounds was stronger for European participants. For Chinese participants, vibrant soundscapes were positively correlated with perceived dominance of natural sounds, whereas in Europe, they were associated more with human-generated sounds. Perceived loudness had a greater effect on the appropriateness dimension for the Chinese sample than that for the European sample. This study provides a deeper understanding of how the geographical/cultural context can influence soundscape perception in public spaces and suggests that such country-specific factors should be considered when designing urban soundscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Aletta
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Tin Oberman
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Mitchell
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mercede Erfanian
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jian Kang
- Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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10
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Visentin C, Torresin S, Pellegatti M, Prodi N. Indoor soundscape in primary school classroomsa). THE JOURNAL OF THE ACOUSTICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2023; 154:1813-1826. [PMID: 37728288 DOI: 10.1121/10.0020833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Soundscape research on indoor environments is emerging as a topic to be addressed for the design of supportive, healthier, and more comfortable spaces. Only a few studies so far addressed the context of educational buildings, mainly focusing on high schools and universities. This pilot study uses questionnaires based on pictorial scales to investigate the indoor soundscape of classrooms for primary school children (n = 130; 8-10 years old). Perceived loudness and the affective dimensions of pleasantness and arousal were explored. Besides the actual soundscape, the children's ideal soundscape was investigated as well. The results of the study indicate that the most frequent sounds in classrooms are generated by the students themselves (voices, movements) followed by the traffic. The urban context of the school modulates the children's perception when windows are open to ensure natural ventilation. Pleasantness is associated with students' age, perceived loudness, and frequency of children's voices in nearby classrooms. The frequency of hearing indoor sounds (children's voices) and sirens affects students' arousal. Our results indicate that children at school are mostly exposed to unpleasant sounds, whereas their preferred ones are music and nature-related ones. The findings have implications for the design of positive and inclusive learning environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Visentin
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Simone Torresin
- Institute for Renewable Energy, Eurac Research, Via A. Volta/A. Volta Straße 13/A, 39100 Bolzano-Bozen, Italy
| | - Matteo Pellegatti
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Nicola Prodi
- Department of Engineering, University of Ferrara, Via Saragat 1, 44122 Ferrara, Italy
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11
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Trudeau C, King N, Guastavino C. Investigating sonic injustice: A review of published research. Soc Sci Med 2023; 326:115919. [PMID: 37141678 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2023.115919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2022] [Revised: 11/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Sound has been researched as either an environmental pollutant (noise) with detrimental health effects or an environmental resource with beneficial outcomes for well-being. We define sonic injustice as unjust inequalities in both noise exposure and access to high-quality, beneficial sound environments. We performed a comparative analysis of 34 peer-reviewed studies on sonic injustice. These studies were from Europe, North America, Accra and Hong Kong. We found suggestive evidence of a social inequality in noise exposure, particularly for low income and racial/ethnic groups. In contrast, children were often associated with an underexposure to noise. We did not find any studies on inequalities in access to beneficial sound environments, except for one study on quiet areas. As well, this review identifies trends in European and North American studies; discusses causal mechanisms for sonic inequalities; and presents avenues for future investigations into sonic injustice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Trudeau
- School of Information Studies, McGill University, Montréal, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology, Montréal, Canada.
| | - Nicholas King
- Biomedical Ethics Unit, McGill University, Montréal, Canada; Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montréal, Canada
| | - Catherine Guastavino
- School of Information Studies, McGill University, Montréal, Canada; Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Music Media and Technology, Montréal, Canada
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12
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Shu S. Exploring the role of soundscape in restorative experience: A pilot study from children’s perspective. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1131170. [PMID: 36998354 PMCID: PMC10043254 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1131170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Indoor and outdoor noise is renowned for its ability to negatively affect children’s health and performance. However, the possible restorative benefits of everyday soundscapes in children are still poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the role of everyday soundscapes in children’s restorative experiences in frequented indoor (classroom) and outdoor (urban park) environments. In stage one, 335 children (7–12 years old) were interviewed using a questionnaire survey to investigate their restoration needs, restorative experience, and potential restorative sounds. In stage two, 61 children participated in a laboratory study to assess the perceived restorativeness of different soundscapes, which were combinations of potential restorative sounds and background noise, under signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) from −5 to 15 dB. The findings denoted that the children’s need for restoration increased with age significantly. Younger children reported that the role of the sound environment was more important in their classroom experiences than in urban parks. Although the types of music displayed in surveyed parks were generally not preferred by the children, music was assessed as the most restorative sound in the laboratory study. Additionally, natural sounds were perceived to be more restorative than background noise in the context. In particular, birdsong showed more restorativeness in the classroom context, whereas fountain sounds showed more restorativeness in the park context. Additionally, an SNR of at least 5 dB is desirable when considering the restorative experiences of children in classrooms and urban parks.
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13
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Zhu G, Yuan M, Ma H, Luo Z, Shao S. Restorative effect of audio and visual elements in urban waterfront spaces. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1113134. [PMID: 36949907 PMCID: PMC10025321 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1113134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Urban waterfront spaces are often composed of built infrastructures and nature elements. Though citizens could take advantage of these public spaces to relax from daily work, its restorative potential has not been paid enough attention. In this study, the restorative effect and mechanism of different audio and visual elements in urban waterfront spaces was systematically studied. Methods At the first stage, restorative potential of waterfront spaces was investigated and different elements with restorative effects were identified through an on-site survey, in which visual and auditory forms of environmental-nature, animal-nature, on-water human activities and on-shore human activities were identified. At the second stage, a series of laboratory experiments were conducted to explore the restorative function of the audio and visual elements. Results and discussion It is found that the degree of artificiality of waterfront space was a crucial factor influencing the restoration level of the space, and higher artificiality level of waterfront space resulted in lower level of perceived restoration. However it was available by adding visual and audio elements to the scene to facilitate the restorative effect in waterfront spaces with high-level artificiality. The effects of adding visual and auditory elements on psychophysiological restoration were explored, and elements that should be recommended and restrained were discussed. Prospects These findings would provide applicable suggestions for future design and rebuilding of urban waterfront spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guofeng Zhu
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Minmin Yuan
- Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing, China
- *Correspondence: Minmin Yuan,
| | - Hui Ma
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- Hui Ma,
| | - Zhaoxin Luo
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shegang Shao
- Research Institute of Highway Ministry of Transport, Beijing, China
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14
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Lorenzi C, Apoux F, Grinfeder E, Krause B, Miller-Viacava N, Sueur J. Human Auditory Ecology: Extending Hearing Research to the Perception of Natural Soundscapes by Humans in Rapidly Changing Environments. Trends Hear 2023; 27:23312165231212032. [PMID: 37981813 PMCID: PMC10658775 DOI: 10.1177/23312165231212032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023] Open
Abstract
Research in hearing sciences has provided extensive knowledge about how the human auditory system processes speech and assists communication. In contrast, little is known about how this system processes "natural soundscapes," that is the complex arrangements of biological and geophysical sounds shaped by sound propagation through non-anthropogenic habitats [Grinfeder et al. (2022). Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 10: 894232]. This is surprising given that, for many species, the capacity to process natural soundscapes determines survival and reproduction through the ability to represent and monitor the immediate environment. Here we propose a framework to encourage research programmes in the field of "human auditory ecology," focusing on the study of human auditory perception of ecological processes at work in natural habitats. Based on large acoustic databases with high ecological validity, these programmes should investigate the extent to which this presumably ancestral monitoring function of the human auditory system is adapted to specific information conveyed by natural soundscapes, whether it operate throughout the life span or whether it emerges through individual learning or cultural transmission. Beyond fundamental knowledge of human hearing, these programmes should yield a better understanding of how normal-hearing and hearing-impaired listeners monitor rural and city green and blue spaces and benefit from them, and whether rehabilitation devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) restore natural soundscape perception and emotional responses back to normal. Importantly, they should also reveal whether and how humans hear the rapid changes in the environment brought about by human activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christian Lorenzi
- Laboratoire des Systèmes Perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d’Etudes Cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Apoux
- Laboratoire des Systèmes Perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d’Etudes Cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), Paris, France
| | - Elie Grinfeder
- Laboratoire des Systèmes Perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d’Etudes Cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), Paris, France
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
| | | | - Nicole Miller-Viacava
- Laboratoire des Systèmes Perceptifs, UMR CNRS 8248, Département d’Etudes Cognitives, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Université Paris Sciences et Lettres (PSL), Paris, France
| | - Jérôme Sueur
- Institut de Systématique, Évolution, Biodiversité (ISYEB), Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, EPHE, Université des Antilles, Paris, France
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15
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Torresin S, Ratcliffe E, Aletta F, Albatici R, Babich F, Oberman T, Kang J. The actual and ideal indoor soundscape for work, relaxation, physical and sexual activity at home: A case study during the COVID-19 lockdown in London. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1038303. [PMID: 36643696 PMCID: PMC9835560 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1038303] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The period of home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic made the importance of a high-quality surrounding environment even more evident than before. Several studies have been carried out to assess the (negative) impacts of noise on annoyance, particularly whilst working from home (WFH). The present study takes a step further by (1) investigating the positive and negative impacts of the "actual" acoustic environment on a range of activities, i.e., WFH, relaxation, physical, and sexual activities, and (2) identifying the characteristics of an "ideal" indoor soundscape. The study is based on the qualitative analysis of verbal descriptions collected from open-ended questions included in a survey administered in January 2021 to 464 respondents living in London, during the COVID-19 lockdown. The range of impacts in the actual scenario varied from no effect on task execution, to disruption, distraction, concern of disturbing others or being heard. Positive impacts included support of concentration, relaxation, motivation, freedom of sound expression, feeling of being connected to the surroundings and comforted by the presence of others, according to mechanisms described in the study. Negative appraisal could trigger coping strategies (e.g., controlling windows, playing music, wearing headphones) and behavioural changes (e.g., lowering the volume of the voice or music, muting oneself during call, changing workout type) that could in turn limit or enhance the freedom of behaviour, affect or foster wellbeing. Negative impacts were most frequently reported on WFH (by 55% of the participants), followed by relaxation activities (40.6%), sexual activities (30.1%), and home workout (20.1%). The ideal soundscape was described as a quiet, well-sound insulated environment, which guarantees access to positive sounds (i.e., natural sounds, music, urban background), thus resulting in privacy, intimacy, and a place where to express themselves without noise-related constraints. The study complements literature findings on housing design directions in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, by providing further evidence on the impacts of poor sound insulation at home, the potential benefits of nature-based solutions for positive indoor soundscapes, and opportunities for an activity-based design of domestic environments, inclusive of a broader set of home uses and household compositions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Torresin
- Institute for Renewable Energy – Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Eleanor Ratcliffe
- School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom
| | - Francesco Aletta
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Rossano Albatici
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Trento, Italy
| | | | - Tin Oberman
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jian Kang
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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16
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Luo J, Wang M, Chen B, Sun M. Exposure to Nature Sounds through a Mobile Application in Daily Life: Effects on Learning Performance among University Students. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14583. [PMID: 36361462 PMCID: PMC9657579 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192114583] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Revised: 10/29/2022] [Accepted: 11/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Previous studies have revealed the restorative effects of exposure to natural environments on psychological well-being and cognitive performance. Recent studies have reported the effects of exposure to nature sounds (e.g., the sounds of birds, rainfall, and waves) through a mobile application on reducing students' mental fatigue and improving their cognitive performance. However, it remains unknown whether exposure to nature sounds through a mobile application may influence students' learning performance. To address the gap, we conducted a study with 71 university students. During the four-week intervention, 36 students in the experimental group were exposed to nature sounds through a free mobile application for at least 30 consecutive minutes per day when working on academic-related tasks; 35 students in the control group did not have such exposure when working on similar tasks. The results show that students in the experimental group outperformed those in the control group in their engagement in deep learning, frequency of academic procrastination, and academic self-efficacy. The findings reveal the promising effects of exposure to nature sounds through a mobile application on improving students' learning performance. The implications of the findings are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiutong Luo
- Advanced Innovation Center for Future Education, Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
- Center for Educational Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
- Health Science Center, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China
| | - Minhong Wang
- Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
- Department of Educational Information Technology, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Boyin Chen
- Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Meng Sun
- College of Education for the Future, Beijing Normal University, Zhuhai 519087, China
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17
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Uebel K, Rhodes JR, Wilson K, Dean AJ. Urban park soundscapes: Spatial and social factors influencing bird and traffic sound experiences. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10409] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Konrad Uebel
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle‐Jena‐Leipzig Leipzig Germany
| | - Jonathan R. Rhodes
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Kerrie Wilson
- School of Biology and Environmental Science Queensland University of Technology Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Angela J. Dean
- School of Agriculture and Food Sciences The University of Queensland Brisbane Queensland Australia
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18
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Yang J, Lu H. Visualizing the Knowledge Domain in Urban Soundscape: A Scientometric Analysis Based on CiteSpace. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:13912. [PMID: 36360791 PMCID: PMC9655647 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2022] [Revised: 10/16/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to identify the main research themes and knowledge structures in the field of urban soundscape. With the continuous expansion of research work in the field of urban soundscape, it has become necessary to carry out a systematic analysis. CiteSpace was used to conduct an information visualization analysis of high-quality literature related to urban soundscape research in the WoS database from 1976 to 2021. The results revealed the following: (1) In terms of research content, research hotspots center on noise, perception, and quality, while focusing on theory and methodology. (2) In terms of research methods, the Perceptual Restorative Soundscape Scale has gradually become the main method of soundscape research. With the development of sound acquisition technology and sound simulation technology, the soundscape perception model will undergo an iterative process of updating. (3) In terms of research objects, most of the research focuses on the soundscape of outdoor environments (such as urban parks, tourist attractions, and historical blocks) together with the influences and preferences for different types of soundscapes. The research results can provide reference for research and planning as well as the design practice of urban soundscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxi Yang
- Digital City Research Center, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Hong Lu
- School of Urban Design, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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19
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Stobbe E, Sundermann J, Ascone L, Kühn S. Birdsongs alleviate anxiety and paranoia in healthy participants. Sci Rep 2022; 12:16414. [PMID: 36229489 PMCID: PMC9561536 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-20841-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study investigated the effect of urban (traffic noise) vs. natural (birdsongs) soundscapes on mood, state paranoia, and cognitive performance, hypothesizing that birdsongs lead to significant improvements in these outcomes. An additional goal was to explore the differential impact of lower vs. higher diversity of the soundscapes by manipulating the number of different typical traffic sounds or songs of different bird species within the respective soundscapes. In a randomized online experiment, N = 295 participants were exposed to one out of four conditions for 6 min: traffic noise low, traffic noise high, birdsong low, and birdsong high diversity soundscapes. Before and after the exposure, participants performed a digit-span and dual n-back task, and filled out depression, anxiety, and paranoia questionnaires. The traffic noise soundscapes were associated with a significant increase in depression (small effect size in low, medium effect size in high diversity condition). Concerning the birdsong conditions, depression exclusively decreased after exposure to the high diversity soundscape (small effect size). Anxiety and paranoia significantly decreased in both birdsong conditions (medium effect sizes). For cognition, no effects were observed. In sum, the present study suggests that listening to birdsongs regardless of diversity improves anxiety, while traffic noise, also regardless of diversity, is related to higher depressiveness. Moreover, for the first time, beneficial, medium-sized effects of birdsong soundscapes were demonstrated, reducing paranoia. Overall, the results bear interesting implications for further research, such as actively manipulating soundscapes in different environments or settings (e.g., psychiatric wards) and testing their effect on subclinical or even clinical manifestations of anxiety and paranoia.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Stobbe
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195, Berlin, Germany.
| | - J Sundermann
- Neuronal Plasticity Working Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - L Ascone
- Neuronal Plasticity Working Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - S Kühn
- Lise Meitner Group for Environmental Neuroscience, Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Lentzeallee 94, 14195, Berlin, Germany.,Neuronal Plasticity Working Group, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Li H, Du X, Ma H, Wang Z, Li Y, Wu J. The Effect of Virtual-Reality-Based Restorative Environments on Creativity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:12083. [PMID: 36231385 PMCID: PMC9565044 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph191912083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This study, based on the theory of restorative environmental, uses virtual reality (VR) technology to construct interactive restorative environments and discusses the influence of the experience of virtual restorative environment on individual creativity. A total of 72 college students were selected as participants in the study. Through psychological scales, three creativity tests, and EEG feedback data, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) The VR restorative environment experience improves individual creativity, especially the creative quality of cohesion; (2) the experience of the VR restorative environment enables participants to experience a desirable sense of presence. Compared with the restorative scene experience without interactive activities, the addition of interactive activities improves the individual sensory fidelity to a greater extent. (3) We cannot simply assume that the experience of the VR restorative environment with interactive activities will make individual creative performance better than non-interactive experience. Interaction with certain difficulty will increase cognitive load, thus disrupting individual creative performance. Garden scenes that can be explored freely and have no interaction can better promote individual creativity. (4) In the environmental experience, participants paid greater attention to natural elements, and the restorative environment they described was very similar to the environment they believed could foster creativity. This study's results provide evidence for the positive effects of the VR restorative environment experience on individuals and contributes to the cognitive exploration of the interaction between restorative environments and individuals in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongqidi Li
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xueyan Du
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Huirui Ma
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Zhimeng Wang
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Faculty of Psychology, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yue Li
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
- Department of Psychology, Lund University, 221 00 Lund, Sweden
| | - Jianping Wu
- Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, Beijing Forestry University, Beijing 100083, China
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21
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Benz ABE, Gaertner RJ, Meier M, Unternaehrer E, Scharndke S, Jupe C, Wenzel M, Bentele UU, Dimitroff SJ, Denk BF, Pruessner JC. Nature-Based Relaxation Videos and Their Effect on Heart Rate Variability. Front Psychol 2022; 13:866682. [PMID: 35756241 PMCID: PMC9226437 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.866682] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Growing evidence suggests that natural environments – whether in outdoor or indoor settings – foster psychological health and physiological relaxation, indicated by increased wellbeing, reduced stress levels, and increased parasympathetic activity. Greater insight into differential psychological aspects modulating psychophysiological responses to nature-based relaxation videos could help understand modes of action and develop personalized relaxation interventions. We investigated heart rate variability (HRV) as an indicator of autonomic regulation, specifically parasympathetic activity, in response to a 10-min video intervention in two consecutive studies as well as heart rate (HR). We hypothesized that a nature-based relaxation video elicits HRV increase and HR decrease, with response magnitude being affected by aspects of early life adversity (conceptualized as low parental care and high overprotection/constraint) and trait mindfulness. In Study 1, N = 60 participants (52% female, agemean = 23.92 ± 3.13 years, agerange = 18–34 years) watched a relaxation video intervention depicting different natural scenery. We analyzed changes in HR and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) as a standard HRV measure, both based on 3-min segments from the experimental session, in multiple growth curve models. We found a decrease in HR and increase of RSA during the video intervention. Higher paternal care and lower trait mindfulness observing skills (assessed via questionnaires) were associated with higher RSA values before but not during video exposure. In Study 2, N = 90 participants (50% female, agemean = 22.63 ± 4.57 years, agerange = 18–49 years) were assigned to three video conditions: natural scenery from Study 1, meditation video, or short clip from “The Lord of the Rings.” Again, HR decreased, and RSA increased during video segments, yet without expected group differences across different video types. We found higher parental care and lower parental overprotection to predict higher RSA at different times during the experiment. Interestingly, lower paternal overprotection predicted overall higher RSA. These results suggest a generic relaxation effect of video interventions on autonomic regulation that we discuss in light of different theories mapping restorative effects of natural environments. Further, psychological characteristics like aspects of early life adversity and trait mindfulness could contribute to individual differences in autonomic regulation. This study contributes to a better understanding of autonomic and psychological responses to relaxation videos.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annika B E Benz
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Raphaela J Gaertner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maria Meier
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Eva Unternaehrer
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany.,Child and Adolescent Research Department, Psychiatric University Hospitals Basel (UPK), University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
| | - Simona Scharndke
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Clara Jupe
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maya Wenzel
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Ulrike U Bentele
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stephanie J Dimitroff
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Bernadette F Denk
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jens C Pruessner
- Department of Psychology, Division of Neuropsychology, University of Konstanz, Konstanz, Germany
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22
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Shin S, Browning MH, Dzhambov AM. Window Access to Nature Restores: A Virtual Reality Experiment with Greenspace Views, Sounds, and Smells. ECOPSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1089/eco.2021.0032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Seunguk Shin
- Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Matthew H.E.M. Browning
- Virtual Reality and Nature Lab, Department of Recreation, Sport and Tourism, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Angel M. Dzhambov
- Department of Hygiene, Faculty of Public Health, Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria
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23
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Grinfeder E, Lorenzi C, Haupert S, Sueur J. What Do We Mean by “Soundscape”? A Functional Description. Front Ecol Evol 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2022.894232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The concept of soundscape was originally coined to study the relationship between humans and their sonic environment. Since then, several definitions of soundscapes have been proposed based on musical, acoustical and ecological perspectives. However, the causal mechanisms that underlie soundscapes have often been overlooked. As a consequence, the term “soundscape” is frequently used in an ambiguous way, alternatively pointing to objective realities or subjective percepts. Through an interdisciplinary review, we identified the main biotic and abiotic factors that condition non-anthropogenic terrestrial soundscapes. A source-filter approach was used to describe sound sources, sound propagation phenomena and receiver’s characteristics. Interdisciplinary information was cross-referenced in order to define relationships between factors, sound sources and filters. Those relationships and the associated references were organized into a functional block diagram. This representation was used to question the different uses and meanings of the soundscape concept found in the literature. Three separate categories were then suggested: distal soundscape, proximal soundscape and perceptual soundscape. Finally, practical examples of these different categories were described, in relation to the diagram. This new systemic approach to soundscapes should help ecoacousticians, bioacousticians, psychoacousticians and environmental managers to better understand soundscapes and protect natural areas in a more significant way.
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24
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Muir KJ, Webb-Jones J, Farish N, Barker K, Miller-Davis C, Galloway S. "Room to Reflect": A Pilot Workplace Resiliency Intervention for Nurses. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19127272. [PMID: 35742534 PMCID: PMC9224273 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19127272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Rising workload demands for nurses necessitate the implementation of easily accessible and innovative clinician well-being resources on health care units. This pre/post pilot study sought to measure the impact of a mobile workplace intervention, “Room to Reflect” on staff nurse and nurse manager resilience. A mobile toolbox with a sound machine, Virtual Reality headset, and associated Quick Response code audio/video offerings, and a paper Pocket Guide of mindful restoration practices were provided to 7 health care units for a 3 month period. Pre/post questionnaires assessed perceived resilience using the Connor-Davidson Resilience scale, and intervention feasibility (ease of use), accessibility (spaces used), and effectiveness (restoration). Data analysis consisted of descriptive statistics, paired and independent samples t-tests, and Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests. From the pre (n = 97) to post (n = 57) intervention period, there was a significant difference in resilience for Clinician 3 staff nurses. A mean increase in resilience was noted among nurse managers following participation in the intervention, z = −2.03, p < 0.05. The Pocket Guide was the easiest offering to use, while VR offerings were accessed the most through Quick Response code. Space and time were the most common barriers to Room to Reflect use. Staff nurses felt supported by managers to use the program, and managers perceived that the program improved nurse job satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Jane Muir
- PhD Program, University of Virginia School of Nursing, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA
- Correspondence:
| | - Jeanell Webb-Jones
- UVA Health: Infectious Disease Clinic, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Nursing Research Office, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (J.W.-J.); (N.F.); (C.M.-D.); (S.G.)
| | - Nancy Farish
- UVA Health: Infectious Disease Clinic, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Nursing Research Office, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (J.W.-J.); (N.F.); (C.M.-D.); (S.G.)
| | - Kimberley Barker
- University of Virginia Health Sciences Library, Charlottesville, VA 22908, USA;
| | - Claiborne Miller-Davis
- UVA Health: Infectious Disease Clinic, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Nursing Research Office, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (J.W.-J.); (N.F.); (C.M.-D.); (S.G.)
| | - Susan Galloway
- UVA Health: Infectious Disease Clinic, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, Nursing Research Office, Charlottesville, VA 22903, USA; (J.W.-J.); (N.F.); (C.M.-D.); (S.G.)
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25
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Smalley AJ, White MP, Ripley R, Atack TX, Lomas E, Sharples M, Coates PA, Groom N, Grand A, Heneberry A, Fleming LE, Depledge MH. Forest 404: Using a BBC drama series to explore the impact of nature's changing soundscapes on human wellbeing and behavior. GLOBAL ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE : HUMAN AND POLICY DIMENSIONS 2022; 74:102497. [PMID: 36406626 PMCID: PMC9664366 DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2022.102497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Extensive ecosystem degradation and increasing urbanization are altering human relationships with nature. To explore these trends, we created a transdisciplinary, narrative-led podcast series produced by the BBC, called Forest 404. The series explored the implications of a world without nature. An online experimental component mobilized audience participation (n = 7,596) to assess responses to natural soundscapes with and without abiotic, biotic, and poetic elements across five biomes. Conditions featuring the sounds of wildlife, such as bird song, were perceived to be more psychologically restorative than those without. Participants' personal lived experiences were strongly related to these outcomes; those who had memories triggered by the sounds were more likely to find them psychologically restorative and exhibited a greater motivation to preserve them. Moreover, the effects of both soundscape composition and memories on preservation behavior were partially mediated by restorative potential; respondents were more likely to want to protect the sounds they heard if they thought they might offer therapeutic outcomes. Our findings highlight the value of art-science collaborations and demonstrate how maintaining contact with the natural world can promote wellbeing and foster behaviors that protect planetary health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Nick Groom
- University of Exeter, UK
- University of Macau, China
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26
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Torresin S, Albatici R, Aletta F, Babich F, Oberman T, Stawinoga AE, Kang J. Indoor soundscapes at home during the COVID-19 lockdown in London - Part I: Associations between the perception of the acoustic environment, occupantś activity and well-being. APPLIED ACOUSTICS. ACOUSTIQUE APPLIQUE. ANGEWANDTE AKUSTIK 2021; 183:108305. [PMID: 36532105 PMCID: PMC9746886 DOI: 10.1016/j.apacoust.2021.108305] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 07/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a result of the adoption of worldwide lockdown measures, the home environment has become the place where all the daily activities are taking place for many people. In these changed social and acoustical contexts, we wanted to evaluate the perception of the indoor acoustic environment in relation to traditional and new activities performed at home, i.e., relaxation, and working from home (WFH). Taking London as a case study, the present paper presents the results of an online survey administered to 464 home workers in January 2021. The survey utilized a previously developed model for the assessment of indoor soundscapes to describe the affective responses to the acoustic environments in a perceptual space defined by comfort (i.e. how comfortable or annoying the environment was judged) and content (i.e., how saturated the environment is with events and sounds) dimensions. A mixed-method approach was adopted to reinforce result validity by triangulating data from questionnaires and spontaneous descriptions given by participants. In this first part of the study, the main objectives were: (1) evaluating differences in soundscape evaluation, in terms of comfort and content dimensions, based on the activity performed at home, (2) identifying appropriate conditions for WFH and relaxation, and (3) investigating associations between psychological well-being and indoor soundscapes. The results showed that the environments were perceived as more comfortable and slightly fuller of content when rated in relation to relaxation than for WFH, thus suggesting a stricter evaluation of the acoustic environment in the latter case. As regards the second objective, spaces that were more appropriate for relaxation had high comfort, whereas spaces appropriate for WFH resulted more private and under control, i.e. with high comfort and low content scores. Lastly, better psychological well-being was associated with more comfortable soundscapes, both for WFH (rs = 0.346, p < .0005), and relaxation (rs = 0.353, p < .0005), and with lower content while WFH (rs = -0.133, p = .004). The discussion points out the need of considering the implications of changed working patterns to rethink the design of soundscapes in residential buildings, also in relation to potential well-being outcomes that will be further investigated in the Part II of the study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Torresin
- Department of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy
- Institute for Renewable Energy, Eurac Research, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Rossano Albatici
- Department of Civil Environmental and Mechanical Engineering, University of Trento, Italy
| | - Francesco Aletta
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, UK
| | - Francesco Babich
- Institute for Renewable Energy, Eurac Research, Bozen/Bolzano, Italy
| | - Tin Oberman
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, UK
| | | | - Jian Kang
- UCL Institute for Environmental Design and Engineering, The Bartlett, University College London, London, UK
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27
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Abstract
Urban parks are important urban public spaces that guarantee people recreation, create positive emotions and relieve stress. Emerging research has shown that natural soundscapes are associated with restorative landscapes in urban parks. However, there is still a lack of knowledge on the use of physiological indexes to evaluate the effects of natural sounds versus human-based sounds on stress relief. In this study, the three physiological indexes of skin conductance level, heart rate and heart rate variability were collected in Fuzhou West Lake Park with the help of Ergo LAB data platform, and a soundscape perception evaluation questionnaire was used to assess the degree of soundscape perceptions in the sample sites. The differences in the stress relieving effects of different urban park environments were analysed by applying the median test, the Wilcoxon test was applied to analyse the effects of soundscapes and urban park environments on relieving stress, and regression analysis was used to identify the important factors of restorative soundscapes. The results found that urban park environments provide a certain degree of stress relief, but the stress relieving effects of different urban park environments vary and that natural spaces play an important role in relieving stress. Urban park soundscapes are key to restorative environmental design, with natural sounds such as birdsong and stream sound being important factors of restorative soundscapes.
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28
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Li H, Luo W, Hou Y, Xia Y, Yao J, Kang N, Deng C, Sun H, Chen C. Factors Affecting Perceived Health Benefits and Use Behaviors in Urban Green Spaces During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Southern China Megacities. Front Public Health 2021; 9:759444. [PMID: 34778190 PMCID: PMC8581461 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2021.759444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 10/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has alienated people from urban green spaces (UGSs) that have various health outcomes for humans. However, little is known about the influential factors of perceived health benefits and use behaviors in UGSs during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study aims to explore the key factors that influence perceived health benefits and use behaviors in UGSs and to assess the mediating role of place attachment in relationships during the COVID-19 pandemic in Chinese megacities. Methods: We conducted an online questionnaire survey from December 2020 to March 2021 in Guangzhou and Shenzhen, China. Six multiple regression models were constructed to investigate the main factors by which UGSs influence citizens' perceived health benefits and use behaviors. Four mediation models were established using the structural equation modeling (SEM) method to explore the mediating effect of place attachment. Results: A total of 628 questionnaires were included in the analysis. The results revealed that some UGS components (green space access, maintenance, and soundscape) significantly affected perceived health benefits for citizens (physical, mental, and social health) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conversely, use behaviors (frequency of visits, duration of visits, and activity intensity) were mainly affected by the sociodemographic context but less affected by UGS components. In addition, UGS components were found to significantly predict place attachment, which in turn influenced the perceived health benefits, frequency, and duration of visits. Conclusions: This study distinguished the key factors that affect perceived health benefits and use behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic: green space access, maintenance, soundscape, and sociodemographic characteristics. Place attachment still needs to be considered when discussing how to encourage citizens to visit UGSs during the pandemic. These findings provide implications for policymakers and landscape planners regarding design and management measures for UGSs that are conducive to coping with pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiwei Li
- College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Weijing Luo
- College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongqi Hou
- College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yu Xia
- College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing Yao
- Urban Big Data Centre, School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom
| | - Ning Kang
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Congshuang Deng
- Guangzhou Sun & Partners Incorporation Design Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Hu Sun
- Guangzhou Sun & Partners Incorporation Design Co., Ltd., Guangzhou, China
| | - Chongxian Chen
- College of Forestry and Landscape Architecture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou, China
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29
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Thys TM, Treviño J, Nadkarni NM. Perceptual–Acoustic Comparisons of Natural Sonic Environments: Applications for Nature-Deprived Populations. ECOPSYCHOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1089/eco.2021.0007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Tierney M. Thys
- Research Department, California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Jeffrey Treviño
- Department of Recording and Music Technology, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, California State University, Marina, California, USA
| | - Nalini M. Nadkarni
- School of Biological Science, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
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30
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Qiu M, Zhang J. Exploring the perceived restorativeness of natural soundscapes under the global pandemic of COVID-19: A moderated mediation model. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0256855. [PMID: 34449825 PMCID: PMC8396716 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0256855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2021] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Although emerging studies have discussed the potential benefits of soundscape in mental restoration, few have investigated how soundscape renews and re-energizes people, especially in facing the current public challenge of the COVID-19 crisis. We established a moderated mediation model to examine the relationship of the four restorative components of soundscape: being away, compatibility, extent and fascination. The data were collected in Xixi Wetland National Park, China, before the outbreak of COVID-19 (n = 562) in October 2019 and post COVID-19 in October 2020 (n = 341). The results revealed that natural soundscapes have great restorative benefits for visitors. The inter relationships of the restorative components are moderated by the perceived stress level which show significant different before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The post-COVID-19 visitors reported a higher level of stress while natural soundscapes had greater effects on their mental restoration. The direct effects of extent and fascination as well as the mediating effects of fascination were stronger among the post-COVID-19 group. However, the path coefficient from being away to compatibility were higher in the pre-COVID-19 group. This study improves the current understanding of the interactive mechanism among the restorative components of soundscape. Knowledge about natural soundscape encourages practitioners to consider it as a guideline for the creation of sustainable environments, especially under the COVID-19 crisis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengyuan Qiu
- College of Economics and Management, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
- * E-mail:
| | - Jie Zhang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, PR China
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31
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Pirchio S, Passiatore Y, Panno A, Cipparone M, Carrus G. The Effects of Contact With Nature During Outdoor Environmental Education on Students' Wellbeing, Connectedness to Nature and Pro-sociality. Front Psychol 2021; 12:648458. [PMID: 34017288 PMCID: PMC8129515 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.648458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 04/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Experiences of contact with nature in school education might be beneficial for promoting ecological lifestyles and the wellbeing of children, families, and teachers. Many theories and empirical evidence on restorative environments, as well as on the foundations of classical pedagogical approaches, recognize the value of the direct experience with natural elements, and the related psychological and educational outcomes (e.g., positive emotions, autonomy, self-efficacy, empathy). In this work we present two studies focusing on the contact with nature in outdoor education interventions with primary and secondary school students in Italy. A questionnaire measuring connectedness to nature, psycho-physical wellbeing, pro-environmental attitudes, students' life satisfaction, pro-social behavior, empathy and anxiety was completed before and after the education program by the participants to the intervention group and by students of a control group. The students in the intervention groups (154 in study 1 and 170 in study 2) participated in environmental education programs consisting in guided activities in contact with the nature during four visits in one of two natural protected areas. The students in the control groups (253 in study 1 and 168 in study 2) attended the same schools as the intervention group but they were not involved in the environmental education program. The students in both the groups completed the questionnaire in the same weeks of the year. Findings show that taking part to the outdoor education program has positive outcomes on psycho-physical wellbeing, on connectedness to nature and on pro-social behavior of students in the intervention group, compared to the control group. The implications related to the effectiveness of outdoor education interventions and future directions of research and practice in environmental psychology and education are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabine Pirchio
- Department of Dynamic and Clinical Psychology and Health Studies, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Ylenia Passiatore
- Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Education, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
| | - Angelo Panno
- Department of Human Science, European University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Maurilio Cipparone
- University Consortium for Socio-Economic Research and for the Environment (CURSA), Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Carrus
- Experimental Psychology Laboratory, Department of Education, Roma Tre University, Rome, Italy
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