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Towards a Better Understanding of the Relationship between Individual’s Self-Reported Connection to Nature, Personal Well-Being and Environmental Awareness

Author

Listed:
  • Kay Fretwell

    (School of Social and Political Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 9LD, UK)

  • Alison Greig

    (Global Sustainability Institute, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge CB1 1PT, UK)

Abstract

This paper examines the relationships between an individual’s self-reported connection to nature (CTN) and aspects of their personal well-being (PWB) and environmental awareness. Specifically, it addresses (i) the relationship between CTN and PWB; (ii) the external variables which influence trait-level CTN over a person’s life course and (iii) how individuals feel about CTN. A mixed methodology is used, with qualitative data adding depth and insight into the statistical associations recorded. The results are drawn from a sample of 222 respondents living in the City of Bath, UK. This study uncovered a significant relationship between CTN and some aspects of PWB which did not always align with research undertaken in other countries. Demographic variables, childhood experiences of nature, usual frequency of nature contact, and nature-related hobbies were all found to affect CTN. A number of barriers to CTN were also identified. Although the literature already provides considerable evidence of positive relationships between contact with nature and a range of mental and physical health benefits, the nature and mechanisms behind these relationships are not well understood, particularly for the UK population. As these associations are increasingly being used to underpin both health and environmental interventions and campaigns it is important that we better understand these relationships.

Suggested Citation

  • Kay Fretwell & Alison Greig, 2019. "Towards a Better Understanding of the Relationship between Individual’s Self-Reported Connection to Nature, Personal Well-Being and Environmental Awareness," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(5), pages 1-21, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:5:p:1386-:d:211475
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. van den Berg, Agnes E. & Maas, Jolanda & Verheij, Robert A. & Groenewegen, Peter P., 2010. "Green space as a buffer between stressful life events and health," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 70(8), pages 1203-1210, April.
    2. Elizabeth Nisbet & John Zelenski & Steven Murphy, 2011. "Happiness is in our Nature: Exploring Nature Relatedness as a Contributor to Subjective Well-Being," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 12(2), pages 303-322, April.
    3. Ethan McMahan & David Estes, 2011. "Hedonic Versus Eudaimonic Conceptions of Well-being: Evidence of Differential Associations With Self-reported Well-being," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 103(1), pages 93-108, August.
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    Cited by:

    1. Rey-Valette, Hélène & Salles, Jean-Michel & Blayac, Thierry, 2024. "Perceptions of Ecosystem Services and Bonds with Nature: The Case of Fish-Farming Ponds in France," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 217(C).

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