Are Some Natural Environments More Psychologically Beneficial Than Others? The Importance of Type and Quality on Connectedness to Nature and Psychological Restoration

TLDR

Exposure to nature can strengthen connectedness to the natural world and enhance psychological restoration, yet few large studies have examined how the type and quality of natural environments influence these outcomes. The study analyzed data from a large English survey of 4,515 participants who recalled a recent nature visit. After controlling for covariates, respondents reported greater connectedness and restoration after visits to rural and coastal sites versus urban green space, and to higher‑quality environments such as protected areas; structural equation analyses revealed a bidirectional association between connectedness and restoration, underscoring the importance of environment type and quality for human health, environmental management, and conservation.

Abstract

Exposure to nature can strengthen an individual’s sense of connectedness (i.e., emotional/cognitive bonds to the natural world) and enhance psychological restoration (e.g., feeling relaxed/refreshed). To date, there have been few large studies looking at the role that type and quality of natural environments may have on these outcomes. The present study used data from a large survey in England (sample analyzed = 4,515), which asked participants to recall a recent visit to nature. After controlling for covariates, respondents recalled greater connectedness to nature and restoration following visits to rural and coastal locations compared with urban green space, and to sites of higher environmental quality (operationalized by protected/designated area status, for example, nature reserves). A series of structural equation analyses provided evidence for a bidirectional association between connectedness and restoration. Consideration of the psychological benefits associated with different types and quality of environment has implications for human health, environmental management, and conservation.