Nature Exposure and Positive Body Image: A Cross–Sectional Study Examining the Mediating Roles of Physical Activity, Autonomous Motivation, Connectedness to Nature, and Perceived Restorativeness

Abstract

Research shows that nature exposure is directly and indirectly associated with more positive body image, which is an important facet of well-being more generally. In this study, we tested the mediating roles of physical activity in nature, perceived restoration in nature, autonomous motivation, and connectedness to nature in explaining the association between nature exposure and positive body image. An online sample of 924 Lithuanian adults (age M = 40.0 years, 73.6% women) completed a survey that included the Nature Exposure (NE) Scale, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, a measure of frequency of physical activity in nature (PAN), the Behavioral Regulation in Exercise Questionnaire-2, the Restoration Outcome Scale, and the Connectedness to Nature Scale. Path analysis was conducted to examine hypothesized direct and indirect effects. Results showed that both greater NE (B = 0.564, SE = 0.057, p < 0.001) and autonomy in exercise motivation (B = 0.039, SE = 0.006, p < 0.001) were associated with more frequent PAN. Direct effects from exercise autonomy to nature restorativeness (B = 0.017, SE = 0.006, p = 0.004) and body appreciation (B = 0.041, SE = 0.004, p < 0.001) were observed. Associations were also found between connectedness to nature and body appreciation (B = 0.166, SE = 0.040, p < 0.001), nature restorativeness and body appreciation (B = 0.075, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001), and frequency of PAN and body appreciation (B = 0.064, SE = 0.019, p < 0.001). PAN mediated the relationship between NE and body appreciation. The final model was invariant across place of residence (urban vs. rural) and gender. Including self-determined physical activity in nature may increase the effectiveness of intervention programs aimed at promoting more positive body image.

Associations between Perceived Teacher Autonomy Support, Self-Determined Motivation, Physical Activity Habits and Non-Participation in Physical Education in a Sample of Lithuanian Adolescents

“…For this analysis, we only used the RAI calculated by the equation (−3 × amotivation) + (−2 × external motivation) + (−1 × introjected motivation) + (2 × identified motivation) + (3 × intrinsic motivation), where a higher score indicates more autonomy in exercise regulation, and a lower score indicates more controlled regulation and/or amotivation for exercise [ 61 ]. The original five-factor structure of the Lithuanian translation of the BREQ-2 was confirmed in our previous studies in general adult populations [ 62 , 63 ].…”

Hiking, indoor biking, and body liking: a cross-sectional study examining the link between physical activity arenas and adults’ body appreciation

“…In the current study, following self-compassion, with a substantially smaller effect size, connectedness with nature also took part in explaining the variance in participants’ body appreciation. This is in line with previous research highlighting that both exposure to natural environment [ 50 , 51 ] and a sense of connectedness with nature were associated with higher body appreciation among both males and females [ 52 ]. Interestingly, recent research has reported how the specific natural environment matters.…”

The Impact of a Woodland Walk on Body Image: A Field Experiment and an Assessment of Dispositional and Environmental Determinants

“…In the first instance, this stands in contrast to studies showing that perceptions of the qualities of an environment are associated with greater restoration and psychological well-being [ 27 , 41 , 42 ]. In the second instance, the null effect vis-à-vis subjective restoration stands in contrast to the predictions of attention restoration theory [ 21 , 22 ] as well as cross-sectional work showing that recalled restoration is significantly associated with body appreciation [ 10 ]. One explanation for the present findings is that environmental factors may not exert much of an effect on state body appreciation changes in natural environments once the effects of dispositional traits have been accounted for.…”

“…The evidence base supporting an association between nature and a positive body image has three main sources. First, cross-sectional studies [ 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 ] and an experience sampling study [ 15 ] have shown that self-reported nature exposure is significantly associated with multiple indices of the traits of a positive body image, including body appreciation and functionality appreciation. Second, experimental studies have shown that exposure to both real and simulated (i.e., images or film) natural environments results in an elevated state body appreciation [ 11 , 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”

“…A restorative environment, therefore, is one that is experienced as promoting recovery and positive responses [ 37 ]. As such, it can be expected that individuals who experience a natural environment as being more restorative will also experience greater improvements in short-term nature-related outcomes [ 26 ], although this has only been evidenced cross-sectionally in relation to body image outcomes [ 10 ].…”