Naturally mindful? The role of mindfulness facets in the relationship between nature relatedness and subjective well-being

Abstract

Nature relatedness refers to the cognitive-affective relationship with natural environments. Mindfulness is described as non-judgmental attention to the present moment and is a multi-dimensional construct consisting of interacting facets. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms through which nature relatedness and mindfulness contribute to subjective wellbeing. Participants were 250 university students (Mage = 20.67, SD = 1.99, 82.4% female) who completed measures of nature relatedness, the five facets of mindfulness, positive and negative affect and life satisfaction. Mediation analyses revealed that of the five facets of mindfulness, only Non-Reactivity and Observing partially mediated the positive relationship between nature relatedness and positive affect, and fully mediated the positive relationship between nature relatedness and life satisfaction. Only Non-Reactivity was found to fully mediate the negative relationship between nature relatedness and negative affect. Findings suggest that when creating nature-based mindfulness interventions, it may be clinically useful develop skills that target mindfulness through Non-Reactivity and Observing.

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“…Two of the studies did not include a connection or relationship with nature questionnaire [ 61 , 62 ] though the studies took place in an outdoor setting. The studies included both survey [ 60 , 63 , 64 ] and interventional [ 61 , 62 , 65 ] studies. All studies used convenience sampling and one study did have a small control group [ 61 ].…”

“…The purpose of three of the studies was to determine the relationship between nature, mindfulness, and psychological wellbeing outcomes [ 60 , 63 , 64 ]. The remaining study purposes were to examine the effects of mindfulness training within an outdoor nature environment [ 61 , 62 , 65 ].…”

“…Specific psychological conditions such as anxiety, depression, and psychological stress showed significant benefits from mindfulness in nature [ 60 , 65 ]. Connection or relatedness to nature scores was correlated to an increase in mindfulness [ 60 , 63 , 64 ] and measures psychological wellbeing [ 60 , 63 , 64 , 65 ]. Mindfulness was positively correlated with measures of psychological wellbeing [ 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 65 ].…”

“…SY helps to support interconnectedness to nature but it is significantly greater when participants engaged in mindfulness [ 60 , 63 , 64 , 69 ]. Mindfulness supports a deeper connection with nature and may support achieving those benefits more efficiently [ 70 ].…”

“…The health effects of outdoor activities were greatly enhanced when engagement strategies of mindfulness were incorporated into nature activities [ 62 ]. Psychological well-being was more likely when people were engaged and interacted with the environment through mindfulness [ 60 , 63 , 64 , 65 , 71 ]. In addition, time in nature can enhance mindfulness while fostering physical, psychological, and spiritual well-being while supporting the development of insight into the reality of the present situation [ 67 ].…”