The Association Between Natural Features and Momentary Psychological Wellbeing: Do Individual Characteristics Make a Difference?

Abstract

Objective: Potential associations between natural environments and psychological wellbeing could have important clinical implications both for improving treatment of common mental health disorders and for preventative mental health more generally. Although research has increased within the field, inconsistent methodologies have generated inconsistent results, with little attention paid to individual characteristics, such as age, gender, and symptoms of anxiety and depression. The current study aimed to address some of these issues by investigating associations between contact with natural features and momentary subjective psychological wellbeing in a non-clinical sample of those aged 16 and over, investigating whether the association differed according to aforementioned individual characteristics. Methods: 74 participants aged 16+ from non-clinical populations participated in the study, completing a 14-day smart-phone based ecological momentary assessment (EMA) period evaluating reported contact with natural features and momentary subjective psychological wellbeing alongside pre- and post-questionnaires assessing PHQ-8 and GAD-7 scores, demographic variables, and impact of COVID-19 (due to the recruitment period). Results: Positive associations between contact with natural features and psychological wellbeing were found over and above individual characteristics and potential confounding variables. Anxiety and depression symptoms were not found to moderate this association, nor did age. Gender had some impact, with men showing stronger wellbeing associations with higher numbers of natural features. Conclusion: The study builds on evidence of positive nature-wellbeing associations whilst accounting for individual characteristics. Although sample and methodological issues must be noted, it indicates that nature-wellbeing associations hold over and above individual characteristics, demonstrating the potential for its inclusion in interventions and preventative mental health recommendations.