Showing papers in "Ecopsychology in 2018"
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors examined the mechanisms responsible for positive emotions in nature and found that contact with nature elevates positive emotions, however, relatively less work examines the mechanism responsible for these effects.
Abstract: Research indicates that contact with nature elevates positive emotions; however, relatively less work examines the mechanisms responsible for these effects. The present study experimentall...
71 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of outdoor exercise on measures of mood, energy, tiredness, and attention was investigated, and one hundred eighty-one participants were randomly assigned to one of four expe...
Abstract: This study investigated the effect of outdoor exercise on measures of mood, energy, tiredness, and attention. One hundred eighty-one participants were randomly assigned to one of four expe...
30 citations
TL;DR: A lack of longitudinal research exists to outline the impact of Outdoor Learning in the school curriculum as mentioned in this paper, however, the authors of this article do not consider the effect of outdoor learning on the development of children.
Abstract: Engaging with nature is needed for the holistic development of children. However, a lack of longitudinal research exists to outline the impact of Outdoor Learning in the school curriculum....
23 citations
TL;DR: The issue of motivating individuals to engage in proenvironmental behaviors (PEB; Scott, Amel, Koger, & Manning, 2016) has become increasingly important as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The issue of motivating individuals to engage in proenvironmental behaviors (PEB; Scott, Amel, Koger, & Manning, 2016) has become increasingly important. Although research has shown that n...
20 citations
TL;DR: Mental health is an increasingly urgent public health concern, particularly on college campuses, and campus decision-makers are recognizing the need to provide inviting, accessible health services, according to a national survey.
Abstract: Mental health is an increasingly urgent public health concern, particularly on college campuses As such, campus decision-makers are recognizing the need to provide inviting, accessible sp
16 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, participants were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions, watching a brief video of a nature scene or of an urban scene, following the video exposure, participant...
Abstract: Participants (N = 94) were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions, watching a brief video of a nature scene or of an urban scene. Following the video exposure, participant...
13 citations
TL;DR: For instance, the authors found that social supports had the strongest relationship with self-satisfaction, while empathy had the best relationship with prosocial behavior. But none have explored whether this relationship remains when accounting for other factors that affect well-being, such as social supports, attention, and empathic skills.
Abstract: Though the positive association between a connection to the natural environment and well-being is well established, few studies have examined this association in children, and none have explored whether this relationship remains when accounting for other factors that affect well-being, such as social supports, attention, and empathic skills. The current study aims to address this gap. Data are drawn from the New South Wales Child Development Study (NSW-CDS) and comprise a representative sample of 26,848 children who completed a self-report survey of mental health and well-being when aged approximately 11 years. Multiple regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for covariates (i.e., social supports, empathy, attention, socioeconomic status, and sex), connection to nature was positively, albeit weakly, associated with two indicators of well-being: self-satisfaction and prosocial behavior. Social supports had the strongest relationship with self-satisfaction, while empathy had the strongest relationship with prosocial behavior. Based on our findings, and that of previous research, we suggest that developing a connection to nature can slightly improve well-being and may complement or augment other well-being and education-based programs. Future research should examine whether the relationship between connection to nature and well-being is influenced by proximity to green spaces, experiences of nature, and age.
13 citations
TL;DR: This article used self-determination theory as a framework to interpret the results of community gardening and found that community gardening is associated with a number of positive outcomes, including community and individual well-being.
Abstract: Community gardens have been associated with a number of positive outcomes, including community and individual well-being. We used self-determination theory as a framework to interpret the ...
12 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a number of projects support people with mental health difficulties through connecting them with nature, and their popularity reflects a growing evidence base recognizing that being in nature is beneficial for mental health.
Abstract: A number of projects support people with mental health difficulties through connecting them with nature. Their popularity reflects a growing evidence base recognizing that being in nature ...
12 citations
TL;DR: The authors identifies settler colonialism as a phenomenon existing outside of awareness in the field of ecopsychology and begins to explore what "unsettling" ecophysics may entail.
Abstract: This article identifies settler colonialism as a phenomenon existing outside of awareness in the field of ecopsychology and begins to explore what “unsettling” ecopsychology may entail. Un...
11 citations
TL;DR: Although acknowledgement of the role of forests in the reduction of greenhouse gases that produce climate change (CC) is widespread among scientists, society is far from adopting effective effective practices.
Abstract: Although acknowledgement of the role of forests in the reduction of greenhouse gases that produce climate change (CC) is widespread among scientists, society is far from adopting effective...
TL;DR: This article examined the impact of visiting natural history museums on implicit connectedness with nature among youth, using FlexiTwins, a computer-based game version of the Implicit Aspect Game.
Abstract: The present research examines the impact of visiting natural history museums on implicit connectedness with nature among youth. FlexiTwins, a computer-based game version of the Implicit As...
TL;DR: In this article, the authors report on the factors enabling the effect of a mindful walking retreat following a largely unpaved route along a lowland river and estuary in the Netherlands, on which people make their own choices to find their way.
Abstract: Complementary to a quantitative effect study, this paper reports on the factors enabling the effect of a mindful walking retreat following a largely unpaved route along a lowland river and estuary in the Netherlands, on which people make their own choices to find their way. Most participants had a depression background. Interviews, triangulated with diary and questionnaire data, were subjected to iterative coding. Several factors were identified as conducive to positive effect, such as encountering nature, negotiating obstacles, duration of the walk, and walking in silence. The results are helpful for the design of effective walking retreats and also underpin the option to develop mindful walking retreats as a regular element in the mindfulness portfolio. Key Words: Walking—Mindfulness—Depression—Nature—Wilderness experience.
TL;DR: K-12 educators and health-related professionals in the United States face significant challenges promoting the human-nature connection when working with youth as mentioned in this paper, and policy-mandated priorities r...
Abstract: K-12 educators and health-related professionals in the United States face significant challenges promoting the human-nature connection when working with youth. Policy-mandated priorities r...
TL;DR: The value of using the environment as a pathway for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning, or E→STEM, has been recognized in the environmental education field as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: Recent trends in the environmental education field have recognized the value of using the environment as a pathway for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) learning, or E→STEM...
TL;DR: In this paper, modern lifestyles have increased a separation between humans and nature while also integrating technology into daily life, and the use of technology has not only supplanted people's traditiona...
Abstract: Modern lifestyles have increased a separation between humans and nature while also integrating technology into daily life. The use of technology has not only supplanted people's traditiona...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors argue that increasing population numbers amplify the damage to the natural environment caused by human population growth worldwide with its concomitant consumption patterns, which is the ultimate stressor to the environment.
Abstract: Expanding human population growth worldwide with its concomitant consumption patterns is the ultimate stressor to the natural environment. Increasing population numbers amplify the damage ...
TL;DR: In this article, a study was conducted to determine if vegetarian and non-vegetarian children differ in their evaluations of animal suffering as compared to human suffering, and they found that nonvegetarians preferred animal suffering over human suffering.
Abstract: This research study sought to determine if vegetarian and nonvegetarian children differ in their evaluations of animal suffering as compared to human suffering. In particular, we asked if ...
TL;DR: A survey-based approach is not well suited to investigating the nuances and unconsci... as discussed by the authors, which tends to be understood as a relatively stable trait, studied using surveybased methods.
Abstract: Nature connectedness tends to be understood as a relatively stable trait, studied using survey-based methods. But this approach is not well suited to investigating the nuances and unconsci...
TL;DR: In this article, a qualitative, phenomenological study was conducted to gain a deep understanding of the shared experiences of ecotherapists who provide therapy in nature, based on the information available to them.
Abstract: The purpose of this qualitative, phenomenological study was to gain a deep understanding of the shared experiences of ecotherapists who provide therapy in nature. Based on the information ...
TL;DR: In this article, the incorporation of nature as an operative resource in social support processes of vulnerable people is discussed, and several studies have highlighted the benefits of nature for human well-being.
Abstract: Several studies have highlighted the benefits of nature for human well-being. Nevertheless, the incorporation of nature as an operative resource in social support processes of vulnerable g...
TL;DR: In this paper, the integration of high-quality nature spaces into urban areas can be an effective strategy to reverse the current decline in children's well-being, however, the effectiveness of these nat...
Abstract: The integration of high-quality nature spaces into urban areas can be an effective strategy to reverse the current decline in children's well-being. However, the effectiveness of these nat...
TL;DR: The authors discusses key epistemological and social issues contributing to the ways in which the field of couple and family therapy has remained anthropocentric and discusses how both Gregory Bateson and a decolonization perspective offer a biocentric view in line with ecological systemic thinking.
Abstract: This chapter discusses key epistemological and social issues contributing to the ways in which the field of couple and family therapy has remained anthropocentric and discusses how both Gregory Bateson and a decolonization perspective offer a biocentric view in line with ecological systemic thinking. Clinical vignettes are included to illustrate implications for a systemic eco-informed approach to therapy.
TL;DR: This data indicates that people appear to have an innate, beneficial response and preference for natural over urban scenes, yet “natural” is an ambiguous concept that varies from culture to culture.
Abstract: Humans appear to have an innate, beneficial response and preference for natural over urban scenes, yet “natural” is an ambiguous concept that varies from culture to culture. In looking for...
TL;DR: The authors explored a preschooler's engagement with nature and whether her interactions with mediators at her nature preschool supported changes in her connection with nature, and found that the mediators' interactions with the preschool teacher supported the children's connection with the environment.
Abstract: This study explored a preschooler's engagement with nature and whether her interactions with mediators at her nature preschool supported changes in her connection with nature. This paper p...
TL;DR: An analysis of US preschool science standards shows persistent disagreement on what to cover during the preschool years as mentioned in this paper, such inconsistency hampers progress for science learning and pedago-gathering.
Abstract: An analysis of US preschool science standards shows persistent disagreement on what to cover during the preschool years. Such inconsistency hampers progress for science learning and pedago...
TL;DR: In the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, a Native American woman responded to the political and ecocidal assault on wildlands with ceremonies of praise for the holy Earth while on a wander into both a...
Abstract: In the Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, responding to the political and ecocidal assault on wildlands with ceremonies of praise for the holy Earth while on a wander into both a...