Biodiverse urban forests, happy people: experimental evidence linking perceived biodiversity, restoration, and emotional wellbeing
Article
Article Title | Biodiverse urban forests, happy people: experimental evidence linking perceived biodiversity, restoration, and emotional wellbeing |
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ERA Journal ID | 5693 |
Article Category | Article |
Authors | Nghiem, T. P. L. (Author), Wong, K. L. (Author), Jeevanandam, L. (Author), Chang, C. C. (Author), Tan, L. Y. C. (Author), Goh, Y. (Author) and Carrasco, L. R. (Author) |
Journal Title | Urban Forestry and Urban Greening |
Journal Citation | 59, pp. 1-8 |
Article Number | 127030 |
Number of Pages | 8 |
Year | 2021 |
Place of Publication | Germany |
ISSN | 1610-8167 |
1618-8667 | |
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) | https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ufug.2021.127030 |
Abstract | Here we investigate whether perceived biodiversity is linked to emotional wellbeing, taking into account the individual level of connection to nature, and whether such relationship is mediated by perceived restorativeness. We exposed participants to urban trails of different biodiversity levels and analysed the data using linear mixed-effects and structural equation models. Our results show that animal diversity and nature relatedness are positively linked to perceived restorativeness that, in turn, increases positive affect and decreases negative affect; thus suggesting that restoration mediates the effect of biodiversity on emotional wellbeing. We also found walk duration is linked to increased positive affect and reduced negative affect while crowdedness level in the trail has the opposite effect. Our results show an important link between urban biodiversity conservation and public mental health. |
Keywords | urban parks, subjective wellbeing, environmental psychology, stress reduction theory, attention restoration theory |
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020 | 520399. Clinical and health psychology not elsewhere classified |
520406. Sensory processes, perception and performance | |
419999. Other environmental sciences not elsewhere classified | |
Public Notes | Files associated with this item cannot be displayed due to copyright restrictions. |
Byline Affiliations | National University of Singapore |
School of Psychology and Counselling | |
Institution of Origin | University of Southern Queensland |
https://research.usq.edu.au/item/q6420/biodiverse-urban-forests-happy-people-experimental-evidence-linking-perceived-biodiversity-restoration-and-emotional-wellbeing
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