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van Horen F, Meijers MHC, Zhang Y, Delaney M, Nezami A, Van Lange PAM. Observing the earth from space: Does a virtual reality overview effect experience increase pro-environmental behaviour? PLoS One 2024; 19:e0299883. [PMID: 38809878 PMCID: PMC11135769 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0299883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Astronauts (and recently businessmen) often express a renewed sense of responsibility for taking care of the environment, after observing the overwhelming beauty of Earth from space. Despite recent attention for this "overview effect", it is unclear whether experiencing the effect directly impacts pro-environmental behaviour. Using a virtual reality experience, the current research tests in two experimental studies the direct impact of an immersive overview effect experience on both short-term and longer term subsequent pro-environmental behaviours (donating to an environmental NGO, consuming less diary and meat). Furthermore, it investigates whether the technological immersiveness of the VR experience amplifies the effect, and the mediating role of connectedness to nature. Results show no effects of the short (7 minutes) overview effect VR video on pro-environmental behaviour (Study 1). For the longer video (15 minutes, Study 2), the results showed that the most immersive experience (video featuring meditative music and voice-over) appeared to increase connection with nature and higher donation amounts to an eco-NGO, but not significantly. No effects were found for subsequent meat and dairy consumption behaviours (measured on day 2, 4, and 6). These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the specific features determining the effectiveness of the overview effect experiences on actual pro-environmental behaviour, providing important insights to businesses and educational institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke van Horen
- Marketing Department, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Marijn H. C. Meijers
- Communication Science Department, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Yerong Zhang
- Marketing Department, School of Business and Economics, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Delaney
- Communication Science Department, Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Universiteit van Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Annahita Nezami
- Human Factors and Settlement Department, Kepler Space Institute, Bradenton, Florida, United States of America
- Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul A. M. Van Lange
- Department of Experimental and Applied Psychology, Faculty of Behavioral and Movement Science, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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Kamide H, Arai T. Human-object interaction, connectedness with nature, and life satisfaction: a cross-sectional study. Front Psychol 2024; 15:1360518. [PMID: 38686084 PMCID: PMC11056575 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1360518] [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: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction This study aimed to elucidate the relationship between interactions with everyday objects (e.g., stationery, clothing, and tools) and one's connectedness with nature, environmentally conscious behavior, and life satisfaction. While previous research has predominantly explored the link between awareness of and behavior toward nature with direct education and experience related to the natural environment, we focused on the origins of the objects that surround us, which are inherently derived from nature. Methods We conducted an online survey with 1,102 Japanese participants, who completed an object-interaction measure assessing the two dimensions of care and learning, and measures of connectedness with nature, pro-environmental behavior, and life satisfaction. Results Interactions with everyday objects involving care and learning were significantly associated with a sense of connectedness with nature, pro-environmental behavior, and life satisfaction. Discussion The study highlights that interactions with everyday artifacts are not isolated experiences but are related to broader awareness of and behavior toward the natural world, and with individual life satisfaction. Hence, environmental awareness and actions can extend beyond direct environmental experiences and encompass daily interactions with objects. Future research could examine how cultural factors shape the relationship between human-object interactions, connection with nature, environmentally conscious behavior, and life satisfaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroko Kamide
- The Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Law and Policy (CISLP), Graduate School of Law, Kyoto University, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Tatsuo Arai
- Center for Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering, The University of Electro-Communications, Tokyo, Japan
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Jong M, Stub T, Jong MC. Supporting Personal Growth in Childhood, Adolescent and Young-Adult Cancer Survivors Through Challenges in Nature - A Qualitative Study of WAYA Wilderness Programme Participation. GLOBAL ADVANCES IN INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE AND HEALTH 2024; 13:27536130241238150. [PMID: 38464957 PMCID: PMC10924559 DOI: 10.1177/27536130241238150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024]
Abstract
Background Childhood, adolescent and young-adult (AYA) cancer survivors often experience health problems due to late or long-term effects of their cancer or the treatment thereof. The general population gains health benefits from immersion in nature, and nature-based programmes seem to be an intervention that can promote health among childhood and AYA cancer survivors. Objective To explore the impact of the WAYA wilderness programme on the health of childhood and AYA cancer survivors. Methods The study had a qualitative approach, with data from individual interviews (n = 18) 3 months after completion of the WAYA programme. In addition, case report data was collected during follow-up talks (1, 2 and 12 months after the programme) (n = 19). The WAYA programme consisted of an 8-day expedition, followed 3 months later by a 4-day base camp. The programme included activities such as hiking, backpacking, kayaking, rock climbing, bushcraft and mindfulness. Data was analysed according to a qualitative content analysis. The consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ) were followed. Results An overarching theme was identified: "Personal growth from challenges in nature supported by deep connections with others". In 4 additional themes, participants' experiences describe how deep personal connections arose, as they developed a feeling of being able and competent in nature. Nature provided a space that supported relaxation and respite from everyday challenges and stimuli, which also led to an experience of being more connected to nature. Conclusion The WAYA programme was experienced as being of support to childhood and AYA cancer survivors. The programme provided them with skills and tools to be safe in nature. When connected to nature, the participants developed trust and self-confidence, personal growth, relaxation and recovery from stress. Their engagement in outdoor activities continued after completion of the programme, when they returned to everyday life at home.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mats Jong
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
| | - Trine Stub
- National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, UiT, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Miek C Jong
- Department of Health Sciences, Mid Sweden University, Sundsvall, Sweden
- National Research Center in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NAFKAM), Department of Community Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, The Arctic University of Norway, UiT, Tromsø, Norway
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Beery T, Stahl Olafsson A, Gentin S, Maurer M, Stålhammar S, Albert C, Bieling C, Buijs A, Fagerholm N, Garcia‐Martin M, Plieninger T, M. Raymond C. Disconnection from nature: Expanding our understanding of human–nature relations. PEOPLE AND NATURE 2023. [DOI: 10.1002/pan3.10451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Thomas Beery
- Faculty of Natural Sciences, Sustainable Multifunctional Landscapes, Kristianstad University Kristianstad Sweden
| | - Anton Stahl Olafsson
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Sandra Gentin
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Megan Maurer
- Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management University of Copenhagen Frederiksberg Denmark
| | - Sanna Stålhammar
- Department of Landscape Architecture, Planning and Management Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences Lomma Sweden
| | | | - Claudia Bieling
- Societal Transition and Agriculture University of Hohenheim Stuttgart Germany
| | - Arjen Buijs
- Wageningen Universiteit, FNP Wageningen The Netherlands
| | - Nora Fagerholm
- Department of Geography and Geology University of Turku Turku Finland
| | - Maria Garcia‐Martin
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Land Change Science Unit Zürich Switzerland
| | - Tobias Plieninger
- Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development Georg‐August‐Universität Göttingen Gottingen Germany
- Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences University Kassel Kassel Germany
| | - Christopher M. Raymond
- Helsinki Institute for Sustainability Science University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Program, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
- Department of Economics and Management, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry University of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
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de Boer J, Aiking H. Pro-environmental food practices in EU countries strongly suggest mutually reinforcing improvements in gender equality and environmental sustainability. Appetite 2023; 180:106350. [PMID: 36270420 DOI: 10.1016/j.appet.2022.106350] [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: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This paper seeks to understand how pro-environmental food practices among women and men in the EU can be supported by considering the interlinkages between gender equality and environmental sustainability. A special aspect is that the role of gender equality is interpreted in terms of Schwartz's theory on national cultural values, which relates gender equality to cultures that emphasize intellectual autonomy and egalitarianism. The paper investigated how pro-environmental food practices (including meat reduction) among women and men correlated with their countries' national income level and its level of gender equality. It was a multilevel analysis of survey data from 27 countries (Eurobarometer 95.1, Spring 2021). Considering that studies about gender equality and the environment often find problematically high correlations between gender equality and national income, this study focused on political gender equality (i.e. women's representation in parliament), which had desirable characteristics. National income and political gender equality had complementary impacts on the adoption of pro-environmental food practices (including meat reduction). Men reported more target practices when living in richer countries; the same applied even more strongly to women when living in richer and more politically gender-balanced countries. It was concluded that women may have developed more autonomy by, inter alia, adopting pro-environmental food practices. At the level of individual behavior, this illustrates "mutually reinforcing dynamics" in the pursuit of gender equality and environmental sustainability goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joop de Boer
- Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Harry Aiking
- Institute for Environmental Studies, VU University, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Mateer TJ. Developing Connectedness to Nature in Urban Outdoor Settings: A Potential Pathway Through Awe, Solitude, and Leisure. Front Psychol 2022; 13:940939. [PMID: 35898979 PMCID: PMC9309726 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Outdoor leisure experiences may represent an understudied yet effective pathway to promote connectedness to nature for urban park visitors. In contrast to outdoor recreation, this critical essay argues outdoor leisure more heavily emphasizes eudaimonic sentiments and intrinsic motivation in comparison with the goal-oriented and hedonic nature of outdoor recreation. It is further argued that two specific social psychological constructs, awe and solitude, may be especially useful in promoting leisure experiences in urban outdoor spaces. Relevant philosophical and social psychological literature is reviewed and synthesized to outline how land managers and environmental educators may facilitate experiences of awe and solitude to better promote contexts for experiencing outdoor leisure in urban parks. Specifically, reviewed literature suggests that utilizing the recreation opportunity spectrum framework and co-creative processes may be an effective path forward in better supporting urban park environments that are conducive to awe, solitude, and leisure. The review and synthesis of this research may ultimately guide environmental educators, land managers, and researchers in ways to more effectively support connectedness to nature via outdoor leisure experiences as an outcome for visitors to outdoor urban spaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy J. Mateer
- Department of Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
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Alves S, Betrabet Gulwadi G, Nilsson P. An Exploration of How Biophilic Attributes on Campuses Might Support Student Connectedness to Nature, Others, and Self. Front Psychol 2022; 12:793175. [PMID: 35498153 PMCID: PMC9043241 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.793175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
University Campuses remain important settings for nurturing and supporting student health and quality of life (QoL). Research shows the health benefits of nature experiences may be facilitated by campus spaces and activities that afford connectedness. Connectedness to nature, others, and self may allow students to cope with mental fatigue, stress, and a constant need for restoration. Despite recent encouraging trends, we still lack an integrative conceptual framework to describe the mechanisms involved in achieving connectedness for making recommendations for campus design. In this conceptual review, we examine students' connectedness in campus settings in relation to biophilic elements and attributes. We aim to understand how both direct and indirect pursuits in nature and also place-based experiences on campus foster connectedness and consequently impact students' health and QoL. Our analysis shows that connectedness seen through the lens of Kellert's biophilic design principles and aided by Alexander's pattern language provides a relational and long-term perspective on recommending strategies for connecting students to nature, to others, and to themselves in campus settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Alves
- Department of Social and Developmental Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Gowri Betrabet Gulwadi
- School of Applied Human Sciences, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA, United States
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Does Spending Time in Nature Help Students Cope with the COVID-19 Pandemic? SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14042401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our economy, social lives, and mental health, and it therefore provides a unique chance for researchers to examine how people cope with changes to their everyday activities. Research suggests that people may be spending more time in nature than they did pre-pandemic. The current study sheds light on how nature is being used to cope with the stresses of the global health crisis and lockdowns. Canadian undergraduate students (N = 559) filled out a questionnaire during the fall of 2020 about their pandemic experience, including their affects, life satisfaction, and feelings of flourishing and vitality, in addition to a wide variety of nature variables. The weekly exposures, the perceived increases or decreases in the exposure to nature during the pandemic, and the feelings of connectedness (nature relatedness) were assessed. Those who felt like they were spending more time in nature than they did pre-pandemic experienced more subjective well-being. Nature-related individuals were more likely to access nature and to appreciate it more during the pandemic than others, but all people (even those less connected) experienced well-being benefits from spending more time in nature. Going into nature appears to be an increasingly popular and effective coping strategy to boost or maintain subjective well-being during the pandemic.
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Environmental Education in Zoos—Exploring the Impact of Guided Zoo Tours on Connection to Nature and Attitudes towards Species Conservation. JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jzbg3010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
In recent decades, zoos have been increasingly transformed into education centers with the goal of raising awareness about environmental issues and providing environmental education. Probably the simplest and most widespread environmental education program in the zoo is the guided tour. This study therefore aims to test whether a one hour zoo tour has an influence on the participants’ connection to nature and attitude towards species conservation. For this purpose, 269 people who had voluntarily registered for a zoo tour were surveyed before and after the tour. In addition to the regular zoo tour, special themed tours and tours with animal feedings were included. The results show a positive increase in connection to nature and a strengthening of positive attitudes towards species conservation for all tour types. For nature connectedness, in particular, people with an initial high connection to nature benefitted from the special themed tours and the tours, including animal feedings. For attitudes towards species conservation, no difference was found between the tour types. The results prove the positive influence of a very simple environmental education program, even for people with a preexisting high level of connection to nature and positive attitude towards species conservation.
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