Investigating relationships between exposure to nature, nature connectedness and subjective well-being within the student-population

Tarrant, Robyn (2019) Investigating relationships between exposure to nature, nature connectedness and subjective well-being within the student-population. Manchester Metropolitan University. (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Student subjective wellbeing (SWB) is of increasing concern, notably, because of reports of high anxiety, depression and suicide prevalence within this demographic. Greater ‘belief’ in a connectedness to nature has been repeatedly associated with positive SWB. This study aimed to investigate the relationships between exposure to nature, nature-connectedness (NC) and SWB within the student-population. Fifty-eight (58) undergraduate students completed replica versions of pre-existing measures, aimed at assessing; Nature-Connectedness, Eudemonic-, Hedonic- and Evaluative-Subjective Well-being (both before and after an exposure to nature event). Analysis found that all SWB-components and NC were subject to a positive effect by exposure to nature, with consistent associations between Eudemonic SWB and NC. In addition, some significant associations were found between Hedonic-SWB and NC, also Evaluative-SWB and NC. However, the results also present uncertain findings arising from the investigation into the relationships of SWB-components predicting NC (specifically Eudemonic SWB). Practical implications of this study are outlined to assist Universities in addressing the student-mental health epidemic, by improving student SWB and NC through nature-exposure.