IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v20y2023i18p6768-d1240807.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Multisensory Stimuli, Restorative Effect, and Satisfaction of Visits to Forest Recreation Destinations: A Case Study of the Jhihben National Forest Recreation Area in Taiwan

Author

Listed:
  • Yu-Jen Chiang

    (Department of Cultural Resources and Leisure Industries, The Teachers’ College, National Taitung University, Taitung 95092, Taiwan)

Abstract

The perceived quality of the restorative environment of forest resources should be a key consideration for forest recreational areas in managing ecosystem services to provide health benefits to visitors. However, previous studies on utilizing forests as a resource for restorative services have rarely explored the simultaneous integration of on-site sensory experiences from a multisensory perspective or evaluated visitor satisfaction from a service-oriented standpoint. Therefore, this study aimed to understand the association among multisensory stimuli, perceived restorativeness, and satisfaction with visits to forest recreation areas and clarify the mediating role of perceived restorativeness in the relationship between multisensory stimuli and satisfaction. This study deployed a questionnaire and collected 458 valid responses from visitors to the Jhihben National Forest Recreation Area in Taiwan. Structural equation modeling was conducted to test the study hypotheses. The results indicated that visual sensations, auditory sensations, olfactory sensations, and tactile sensations had significant positive effects on perceived restorativeness and satisfaction and that perceived restorativeness also had a significant positive effect on satisfaction. Perceived restorativeness played a partial mediating role in this causal model. This study verified the psychological model of the relationships among a natural setting’s multisensory stimuli, perceived restorativeness, and satisfaction. In practice, the findings of this study offer guidance for forest recreation areas to develop strategies for ecological services, encompassing the establishment of restorative environmental management and visitor service management approaches.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu-Jen Chiang, 2023. "Multisensory Stimuli, Restorative Effect, and Satisfaction of Visits to Forest Recreation Destinations: A Case Study of the Jhihben National Forest Recreation Area in Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(18), pages 1-19, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:18:p:6768-:d:1240807
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/18/6768/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/18/6768/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Min Shao & Derong Lin, 2021. "A Study on How the Five Senses Are Affected When Tourists Experience Towns with Forest Characteristics: An Empirical Analysis Based on the Data of Fujian, Guangdong and Sichuan in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Lara S. Franco & Danielle F. Shanahan & Richard A. Fuller, 2017. "A Review of the Benefits of Nature Experiences: More Than Meets the Eye," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-29, August.
    3. Moohan Kim, 2018. "Influence of Perceptual Range on Human Perceived Restoration," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(9), pages 1-11, September.
    4. Jensen, Martin Trandberg & Scarles, Caroline & Cohen, Scott A., 2015. "A multisensory phenomenology of interrail mobilities," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 61-76.
    5. Sophie C. Rickard & Mathew P. White, 2021. "Barefoot walking, nature connectedness and psychological restoration: the importance of stimulating the sense of touch for feeling closer to the natural world," Landscape Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(7), pages 975-991, October.
    6. Tianyao Zhang & Jiahui Liu & Hongyang Li, 2019. "Restorative Effects of Multi-Sensory Perception in Urban Green Space: A Case Study of Urban Park in Guangzhou, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-16, December.
    7. Jesper J. Alvarsson & Stefan Wiens & Mats E. Nilsson, 2010. "Stress Recovery during Exposure to Nature Sound and Environmental Noise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 7(3), pages 1-11, March.
    8. Hyoyoung Kang & Youngran Chae, 2021. "Effects of Integrated Indirect Forest Experience on Emotion, Fatigue, Stress, and Immune Function in Hemodialysis Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    9. Ohe, Yasuo & Ikei, Harumi & Song, Chorong & Miyazaki, Yoshifumi, 2017. "Evaluating the relaxation effects of emerging forest-therapy tourism: A multidisciplinary approach," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 62(C), pages 322-334.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wenxi (Bella) Bai & Jiaojiao (Jane) Wang & Jose Weng Chou Wong & Xingyu (Hilary) Han & Yiqing Guo, 2024. "The soundscape and tourism experience in rural destinations: an empirical investigation from Shawan Ancient Town," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-12, December.
    2. Yu Gao & Yingna Zhang & Weikang Zhang & Huan Meng & Zhi Zhang & Tong Zhang, 2024. "Well-Being and Sustainable Utilization of Forest Environment with Diverse Vegetation Distributions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-18, September.
    3. Keyan Chen & Yan Xu & Kaiyuan Zhan & Yangshuo Gao & Xiangcai Xie, 2024. "Exploring the Relationship between Key Perceptual Elements of Urban Secondary Wilderness and Its Restorative Benefits," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-22, August.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Mengyuan Qiu & Ji Sha & Noel Scott, 2021. "Restoration of Visitors through Nature-Based Tourism: A Systematic Review, Conceptual Framework, and Future Research Directions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Izabela Krzeptowska-Moszkowicz & Łukasz Moszkowicz & Karolina Porada, 2023. "What Affects the Depth of the Human–Garden Relationship in Freely Accessible Urban Sensory Gardens with Therapeutic Features in Various Users?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(19), pages 1-24, October.
    3. Qiang Wen & Haiqiang Liu & Jinyuan Chen & Huiyao Ye & Zeyu Pan, 2023. "Evaluation of Satisfaction with the Built Environment of University Buildings under the Epidemic and Its Impact on Student Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-23, February.
    4. Siruo Qu & Ruochen Ma, 2024. "Exploring Multi-Sensory Approaches for Psychological Well-Being in Urban Green Spaces: Evidence from Edinburgh’s Diverse Urban Environments," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-24, September.
    5. Tongfei Jin & Jiayi Lu & Yuhan Shao, 2024. "Exploring the Impact of Visual and Aural Elements in Urban Parks on Human Behavior and Emotional Responses," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-21, September.
    6. Daniel Steele & Edda Bild & Cynthia Tarlao & Catherine Guastavino, 2019. "Soundtracking the Public Space: Outcomes of the Musikiosk Soundscape Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-38, May.
    7. Amber L. Pearson & Victoria Breeze & Aaron Reuben & Gwen Wyatt, 2021. "Increased Use of Porch or Backyard Nature during COVID-19 Associated with Lower Stress and Better Symptom Experience among Breast Cancer Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-13, August.
    8. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Bum-Jin Park & Juyoung Lee & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2018. "Psychological Benefits of Walking through Forest Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-10, December.
    9. Jensen, Martin Trandberg & Larsen, Jonas, 2021. "Rail tourism transitions: A sociological framework," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    10. Agapito, Dora, 2020. "The senses in tourism design: A bibliometric review," Annals of Tourism Research, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    11. Yue Du & Zan Zou & Yaodong He & Yongge Zhou & Shixian Luo, 2022. "Beyond Blue and Green Spaces: Identifying and Characterizing Restorative Environments on Sichuan Technology and Business University Campus," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-17, October.
    12. Lars Even Egner & Stefan Sütterlin & Giovanna Calogiuri, 2020. "Proposing a Framework for the Restorative Effects of Nature through Conditioning: Conditioned Restoration Theory," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-18, September.
    13. Kurt Beil & Douglas Hanes, 2013. "The Influence of Urban Natural and Built Environments on Physiological and Psychological Measures of Stress— A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-18, March.
    14. Ling-Qing Zhang & Wei Deng & Jing Yan & Xiao-Hong Tang, 2019. "The Influence of Multi-Dimensional Cognition on the Formation of the Sense of Place in an Urban Riverfront Space," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-15, December.
    15. Lissy Fehnker & Diane Pearson & Peter Howland, 2022. "Informing Future Land Systems Using Self-Reported Pathways and Barriers to Connections to Nature: A Case Study in Auckland, New Zealand," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-18, October.
    16. Hyoyoung Kang & Youngran Chae, 2021. "Effects of Integrated Indirect Forest Experience on Emotion, Fatigue, Stress, and Immune Function in Hemodialysis Patients," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-12, February.
    17. Rachel R. Y. Oh & Kelly S. Fielding & Chia-Chen Chang & Le T. P. Nghiem & Claudia L. Y. Tan & Shimona A. Quazi & Danielle F. Shanahan & Kevin J. Gaston & Roman L. Carrasco & Richard A. Fuller, 2021. "Health and Wellbeing Benefits from Nature Experiences in Tropical Settings Depend on Strength of Connection to Nature," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-16, September.
    18. Pedro, Rui & Mendes, Júlio & Matos, Nelson & Ascenção, Mário & Pinto, Patrícia, 2021. "How tourists perceive, create and encode the memorable tourism experience," Journal of Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being, Cinturs - Research Centre for Tourism, Sustainability and Well-being, University of Algarve, vol. 9(4), pages 296-325.
    19. Sus Sola Corazon & Ulrik Sidenius & Dorthe Varning Poulsen & Marie Christoffersen Gramkow & Ulrika Karlsson Stigsdotter, 2019. "Psycho-Physiological Stress Recovery in Outdoor Nature-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review of the Past Eight Years of Research," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(10), pages 1-21, May.
    20. Mehdi Rezaei & Doohwan Kim & Ahad Alizadeh & Ladan Rokni, 2021. "Evaluating the Mental-Health Positive Impacts of Agritourism; A Case Study from South Korea," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-16, August.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:20:y:2023:i:18:p:6768-:d:1240807. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.