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Mauldin RL, Westmore MR, Tulloh A, Anderson KA. Well-Being Outcomes from the Delivery of RASCALs, a Group Activity Intervention Using Nature-Focused Livestream Broadcasts. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2024; 10:23337214241273230. [PMID: 39184398 PMCID: PMC11342327 DOI: 10.1177/23337214241273230] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Group activities and connection with nature are associated with improved well-being for older adults. This quasi-experiment tests the effectiveness of RASCALs, an innovative program of group activities using nature-focused livestream broadcasts. Assisted living residents in the experimental group (n = 16) lived in buildings that received RASCALs programming twice a week for 3 months. Compared to residents in the comparison group (n = 17) who received regular group activity programming, they experienced significant positive change in the Positive Relations with Others domain of well-being (β = .873, p = .008). Combining nature-focused livestream broadcasts with groups activities for older adults in assisted living communities may be an innovative and effective way to overcome barriers to accessing nature and improve residents' well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Anna Tulloh
- The University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA
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Takano R, Matsuo A, Kawano K. Development of a Japanese version of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S): A structural topic modeling approach. F1000Res 2023; 12:515. [PMID: 37900197 PMCID: PMC10611950 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.134275.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Awe, a complex emotion, arises in response to perceptually and conceptually vast stimuli that transcend one's current frames of reference, which is associated with subjective psychological phenomena, such as a sense of self and consciousness. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S), a widely used questionnaire that robustly measured the state of awe, and simultaneously investigated how the multiple facets of awe related to the narrative representations of awe experiences. METHODS The Japanese AWE-S was created via back-translation and its factor structure and validity was investigated through an online survey in Japan. RESULTS The results revealed that the Japanese AWE-S consisted of the same six factors as the original (i.e., time, self-loss, connectedness, vastness, physiological, and accommodation) and had sufficient internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and also Japan-specific characteristics. The structured topic modeling generated seven potential topics of the descriptions of awe experiences, which were differently associated with each factor of the Japanese AWE-S. CONCLUSIONS Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of awe and reveal the constructs of awe in Japan through cross-cultural comparisons. Furthermore, this study provides conceptual and methodological implications regarding studies on awe.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryota Takano
- Kojimachi Business Center Building, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, Tokyo, 102-0083, Japan
- Department of Social Psychology, Graduate School of Humanities and Sociology, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo, 113-0033, Japan
| | - Akiko Matsuo
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-Ku, Tokyo, 153-8904, Japan
| | - Kazuaki Kawano
- Department of Psychology, Tokai Gakuen University, Nagoya, Aichi, 468-8514, Japan
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Exploring associations of older adults with virtual nature: a randomised factorial online survey. AGEING & SOCIETY 2023. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x23000090] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/03/2023]
Abstract
Abstract
Loneliness and social isolation are important social determinants of wellbeing of older adults. Conversational exchanges can promote connectedness between older adults, however, conversations may not always come easy. Research shows that exposure to nature-based stimuli such as pictures and videos can stimulate social aspirations and trigger associations that could facilitate conversations, in particular when nature scenery is perceived as fascinating, mysterious, spacious and suited for social interaction. Therefore, this study investigated whether exposure to these nature characteristics (high versus low) lead to associations that could act as conversational material. A randomised factorial design, using a virtual reality-based approach for experimental control, led to 17 different virtual representations of nature (VN). In total, 150 participants (60 years and older) were recruited for an online survey. Spontaneous associations were coded on personal engagement and valence. The number of associations was measured with one multiple-choice question. VN exposure successfully triggered personally engaging and positively valenced associations and were related to multiple associations, in particular when the VN were high on mystery. Furthermore, positive effects of VN exposure was more pronounced for participants with high (rather than low) levels of nature relatedness and many (rather than few) available nature opportunities. These findings indicate that VN exposure provides fertile ground for conversations as a means to promote connectedness and social wellbeing of older adults.
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van Houwelingen-Snippe J, Ben Allouch S, van Rompay TJL. Designing digital nature for older adults: A mixed method approach. Digit Health 2023; 9:20552076231218504. [PMID: 38053734 PMCID: PMC10695079 DOI: 10.1177/20552076231218504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective Loneliness and social isolation are pressing issues that can seriously impact the mental health and well-being of older adults. Interacting with nature can stimulate a feeling of connectedness. However, for older adults, access to nature is often troublesome because of physical limitations and mobility restrictions. Methods In the present mixed-method study, 37 older adults (62-99 years old) with varying care needs and mobility restrictions watched a video presenting a walkthrough of a simulated digital nature landscape. Results Quantitative results show a significant increase in social connectedness scores and enhanced peacefulness after experiencing a digital nature. Qualitative results stress the importance of variations in nature scenery and highlight the influence of contextual and person-related factors including nature experiences throughout the life span and mobility constraints that older adults may face. Conclusion These findings testify to the potential of using digital nature as a complementary strategy when interactions with outdoor nature become increasingly difficult due to old age.
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Affiliation(s)
- Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe
- Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
| | - Somaya Ben Allouch
- Digital Life, Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Digital Interactions, Informatics Institute, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas J. L. van Rompay
- Department of Communication Science, Faculty of Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences, University of Twente, Enschede, The Netherlands
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Song R, Chen Q, Zhang Y, Jia Q, He H, Gao T, Qiu L. Psychophysiological restorative potential in cancer patients by virtual reality (VR)-based perception of natural environment. Front Psychol 2022; 13:1003497. [PMID: 36300069 PMCID: PMC9589456 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1003497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/31/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The positive significance of nature to human’ self-reported well-being has been widely confirmed, but less attention has been paid to the study of cancer patients, as well as the role of time on the restorative effects. Therefore, using virtual reality (VR) and the inclusion of patients with esophageal and gastrointestinal cancer as participants, this study conducted indoor experiments to explore patients’ psychophysiological recovery through the perception of five different environmental types with three to five interventions per week. There were 63 participants selected from the People’s Hospital in Shaanxi Province. Depending on their psychophysiological state, they would participate in three to five interventions in a week to compare the number of interventions needed to achieve maximum restoration. The five environmental types utilized varied in land cover, vegetation structure, and landscape characteristics, and were identified as blue space (BS), open green space (OGS), semi-open green space (SOS), closed green space (CGS), and gray space (GrS). Before and after viewing landscapes, the changes of psychophysiological indicators were measured to explore the influence of different environmental types on participants. The results showed that the participants preferred and received the highest perceived restorative potentials in BS and lastly, GrS. The green and blue spaces measurably increased positive emotions and perceived restoration while a decreasing negative emotions and the heart rate (HR) compared with the GrS. Participants had the highest level of relaxation while their eyes were closed in the EEG baseline stage. Moreover, participants received the most relaxation when they contacted with nature three times a week, which indicated that excessive natural participation may not be conducive to the sustained development of cancer patients’ psychophysiological health. Instead of field appreciation, VR could be utilized to increase the access of cancer patients to nature and then be used as an approach to landscape interaction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Song
- College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Qujing Chen
- College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- Shaanxi Provincial People's Hospital, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Qing'an Jia
- Institute of Medical Research, Northwestern Polytechnical University, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hongyun He
- Town Planning and Designing Institute, Xi’an, Shaanxi, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyun He, ; Tian Gao, ; Ling Qiu,
| | - Tian Gao
- College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyun He, ; Tian Gao, ; Ling Qiu,
| | - Ling Qiu
- College of Landscape Architecture and Art, Northwest A&F University, Xianyang, China
- *Correspondence: Hongyun He, ; Tian Gao, ; Ling Qiu,
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‘That is a place where I would want to go’: investigating digital nature to enhance social wellbeing among older adults. AGEING & SOCIETY 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0144686x2100177x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Feelings of disconnectedness and social isolation among older adults are increasingly recognised as important challenges of our times. Interestingly, nature interaction can stimulate social connectedness and enhance perceived social support, indicating that nature can contribute to social wellbeing. However, nature may not always be around or accessible for older adults. In such cases, digital nature could provide an alternative means for enjoying nature's benefits. To identify limitations and restrictions that older adults experience with respect to nature interaction, and to explore preferences with respect to digital nature and their potential for influencing social wellbeing, two studies are reported: a qualitative study comprising focus groups with Dutch care centre residents (N = 26) and a subsequent quantitative study (N = 200) testing effects of digital landscapes on social wellbeing measures. Findings from the focus groups indicate that opportunities for nature interaction and preferences for digital nature vary with mobility restrictions, whereas findings from the quantitative study testify to the potential of digital nature for enhancing social wellbeing and related emotions. These findings extend research on how (digital) nature interventions can contribute to the social wellbeing of older adults and pinpoint essential nature characteristics important for doing so.
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Virtual Reality Representations of Nature to Improve Well-Being amongst Older Adults: a Rapid Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 6:464-485. [PMID: 33688575 PMCID: PMC7934124 DOI: 10.1007/s41347-021-00195-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Poor well-being amongst older adults poses a serious health concern. Simultaneously, research shows that contact with nature can improve various facets of well-being, including physical, social, and mental well-being. However, nature is not always accessible for older adults due to mobility restrictions and related care needs that come with age. A promising strategy aims at bringing nature inside through pervasive technologies. However, so far, there is little academic understanding of essential nature characteristics, psychological processes involved, and means for implementation in practice. The current study used a three-folded rapid review to assess current understanding and strategies used for improving well-being for older adults through virtual reality representations of nature. Searches were performed across three databases, followed-up by content-based evaluation of abstracts. In total, a set of 25 relevant articles was identified. Only three studies specifically focus on digital nature as an intervention strategy for improving well-being amongst older adults. Although these studies provide useful starting points for the design and (technological) development of such environments, they do not generate understanding of how specific characteristics of virtual nature representations impact social well-being measures in particular, and of the underlying psychological processes involved. We conclude that follow-up research is warranted to close the gap between insights and findings from nature research, gerontology, health research, and human-technology interaction.
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van Houwelingen-Snippe J, van Rompay TJL, Ben Allouch S. Feeling Connected after Experiencing Digital Nature: A Survey Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17186879. [PMID: 32967093 PMCID: PMC7559801 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17186879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2020] [Revised: 09/14/2020] [Accepted: 09/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Digital nature can provide a substitute for real nature for those who have limited access to green space, or are confined to their homes, for example during the worldwide COVID-19 lockdown. In a large-scale online survey, respondents (N = 1203) watched videos of digital nature, varying in terms of type of nature (wild versus tended nature) and spaciousness. Results show a significant increase of feelings of connectedness to the community after watching digital nature. Furthermore, tended nature scenes elicited more social aspirations than wild nature scenes. A multiple regression model further shows that living further away from nature was a significant predictor for loneliness scores, while number of nature interactions during a week was not. Results of this study confirm the importance of nature interaction for mental and social wellbeing for the general population and stress the potential of digital nature as a complementary strategy. These findings are of particular relevance to those who lack access to nature due to old age and related mobility constraints or a lockdown.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas J. L. van Rompay
- Communication Science, University of Twente, De Zul 10, 7522 NJ Enschede, The Netherlands;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-(0)53-489-3607
| | - Somaya Ben Allouch
- Digital Life Research Group, University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam, Wibautstraat 2, 1091 GM Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
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