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Feeling Connected after Experiencing Digital Nature: A Survey Study

Author

Listed:
  • Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe

    (Communication Science, University of Twente, De Zul 10, 7522 NJ Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Thomas J. L. van Rompay

    (Communication Science, University of Twente, De Zul 10, 7522 NJ Enschede, The Netherlands)

  • Somaya Ben Allouch

    (Digital Life Research Group, University of Applied Sciences Amsterdam, Wibautstraat 2, 1091 GM Amsterdam, The Netherlands)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe & Thomas J. L. van Rompay & Somaya Ben Allouch, 2020. "Feeling Connected after Experiencing Digital Nature: A Survey Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-16, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6879-:d:416503
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    Cited by:

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