IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i23p16457-d1291772.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Moderating Effects of Gender and Dispositional Mindful Observation on the Relationship between Nature Contact and Psychological Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study in China

Author

Listed:
  • Xuanyi Wang

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

  • Shulin Chen

    (Department of Psychology and Behavioral Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China)

Abstract

Nature conservation is an essential topic in the area of sustainability. Understanding how nature benefits humans, particularly human mental health, contributes to the awareness and promotion of nature conservation. A growing number of studies have demonstrated the positive effects of nature on human well-being. However, not all individuals derive the same benefits from engaging with nature. Dispositional mindful observation may play a significant role in the interaction between humans and nature, subsequently influencing the degree of benefit attained. In exploring an efficacious approach to amplify the benefits of nature, this study examined the moderating impact of gender and dispositional mindful observation on the association between nature contact and psychological distress. A total of 786 Chinese participants (490 females; mean age = 22.39 years) were recruited to complete an online survey regarding nature contact, dispositional mindful observation, and psychological distress. The results revealed that dispositional mindful observation significantly moderated the relationship between nature contact and psychological distress. Higher dispositional mindful observation significantly amplified the positive impact of contact with nature on mental health. Body observation showed the strongest moderating effect among the three dispositional mindful observation facets, followed by emotional awareness and external perception. No significant gender difference was found in the mental health benefits of nature contact. In conclusion, dispositional mindful observation may be a valuable focus for amplifying the mental health benefits obtained from engaging with nature.

Suggested Citation

  • Xuanyi Wang & Shulin Chen, 2023. "The Moderating Effects of Gender and Dispositional Mindful Observation on the Relationship between Nature Contact and Psychological Distress: A Cross-Sectional Study in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-13, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16457-:d:1291772
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/23/16457/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/23/16457/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Alex B Siegling & K V Petrides, 2016. "Zeroing In on Mindfulness Facets: Similarities, Validity, and Dimensionality across Three Independent Measures," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(4), pages 1-17, April.
    2. Elisabeth H. Bos & Leon Van der Meulen & Marieke Wichers & Bertus F. Jeronimus, 2016. "A Primrose Path? Moderating Effects of Age and Gender in the Association between Green Space and Mental Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-8, May.
    3. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Ralf Buckley & Linsheng Zhong & Mary-Ann Cooper, 2022. "Mental health and nature: more implementation research needed," Nature, Nature, vol. 612(7938), pages 33-33, December.
    5. 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.
    6. Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2016. "Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy: A Review of the Research in Japan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-17, August.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Hyunju Jo & Chorong Song & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2019. "Physiological Benefits of Viewing Nature: A Systematic Review of Indoor Experiments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-23, November.
    2. Matt Noseworthy & Luke Peddie & E. Jean Buckler & Faith Park & Margaret Pham & Spencer Pratt & Arpreet Singh & Eli Puterman & Teresa Liu-Ambrose, 2023. "The Effects of Outdoor versus Indoor Exercise on Psychological Health, Physical Health, and Physical Activity Behaviour: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, January.
    3. Hiromitsu Kobayashi & Chorong Song & Harumi Ikei & Bum-Jin Park & Juyoung Lee & Takahide Kagawa & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2017. "Population-Based Study on the Effect of a Forest Environment on Salivary Cortisol Concentration," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-9, August.
    4. Nabetse Baruc Blas-Miranda & Ana Lilia Lozada-Tequeanes & Juan Antonio Miranda-Zuñiga & Marcia P. Jimenez, 2022. "Green Space Exposure and Obesity in the Mexican Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-13, November.
    5. Agnieszka Olszewska-Guizzo & Nicolas Escoffier & Jane Chan & Tan Puay Yok, 2018. "Window View and the Brain: Effects of Floor Level and Green Cover on the Alpha and Beta Rhythms in a Passive Exposure EEG Experiment," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-14, October.
    6. Tamsin Thomas & James Baker & Debbie Massey & Daniel D’Appio & Christina Aggar, 2020. "Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomised Trial of Social Prescribing of Forest Therapy for Quality of Life and Biopsychosocial Wellbeing in Community-Living Australian Adults with Mental Illness: Protocol," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-14, December.
    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. Ziliang Jin & Jiangping Wang & Xu Liu & Xu Han & Jiaojiao Qi & Jingyong Wang, 2022. "Stress Recovery Effects of Viewing Simulated Urban Parks: Landscape Types, Depressive Symptoms, and Gender Differences," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(1), pages 1-23, December.
    10. Martin Mau & Maria L. Vang & Anna Mejldal & Simon Høegmark & Kirsten K. Roessler, 2022. "Can Rehabilitation in Nature Improve Self-Perceived Interpersonal Problems? A Matched-Control Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-12, March.
    11. Shuping Huang & Jinda Qi & Wei Li & Jianwen Dong & Cecil Konijnendijk van den Bosch, 2021. "The Contribution to Stress Recovery and Attention Restoration Potential of Exposure to Urban Green Spaces in Low-Density Residential Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-20, August.
    12. Liwen Li & Klaus W. Lange, 2023. "Assessing the Relationship between Urban Blue-Green Infrastructure and Stress Resilience in Real Settings: A Systematic Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-28, June.
    13. Shirelle H. Hallum & Marilyn E. Wende & Farnaz Hesam Shariati & Kelsey M. Thomas & Anna L. Chupak & Eleanor Witherspoon & Andrew T. Kaczynski, 2024. "Unearthing Inequities in the Relationship between Multiple Sociodemographic Factors and Diverse Elements of Park Availability and Quality in a Major Southern Metropolitan Region," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(2), pages 1-19, February.
    14. Isabelle Soulé & Chloé Littzen-Brown & Amber L. Vermeesch & Layla Garrigues, 2022. "Expanding the Mind–Body–Environment Connection to Enhance the Development of Cultural Humility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-8, October.
    15. Reo Jones & Robin Tarter & Amy Miner Ross, 2021. "Greenspace Interventions, Stress and Cortisol: A Scoping Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-21, March.
    16. Jason Corburn, 2017. "Urban Place and Health Equity: Critical Issues and Practices," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-10, January.
    17. Zhimeng Wang & Yue Li & Jingchen An & Wenyi Dong & Hongqidi Li & Huirui Ma & Junhui Wang & Jianping Wu & Ting Jiang & Guangxin Wang, 2022. "Effects of Restorative Environment and Presence on Anxiety and Depression Based on Interactive Virtual Reality Scenarios," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(13), pages 1-27, June.
    18. Amy Miner Ross & Reo Jane Francesca Jones, 2022. "Simulated Forest Immersion Therapy: Methods Development," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    19. Miek C. Jong & Trine Stub & Eric Mulder & Mats Jong, 2022. "The Development and Acceptability of a Wilderness Programme to Support the Health and Well-Being of Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: The WAYA Programme," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-21, September.
    20. Kamila Czepczor-Bernat & Justyna Modrzejewska & Adriana Modrzejewska & Viren Swami, 2022. "The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-13, November.

    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:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:23:p:16457-:d:1291772. 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.