The Effects of Viewing Natural Scenery Indoors on Middle School Students’ Changes in Mood States and Concentration

Shin, Mun Young; Shin, Won-sop

doi:10.11628/ksppe.2019.22.2.199

Cited by 2 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…The findings that the image‐only condition elicited a positive change in mood and well‐being is consistent with previous research that showed positive effects of viewing nature scenery on our psychological (Shin & Shin, 2019) and physiological health (Jo et al, 2019). These results also echo previous studies using Project Soothe images as a tool to decrease negative affect and depressive moods (Guerrero, 2017; Wong, 2019; Yang, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

“…Among all, images depicting nature scenes appear to elicit mood benefits. Findings have shown that when students viewed natural scenery compared to viewing urban scenery or not viewing scenery at all, their tension, depression, anger, fatigue and confusion decreased, while vigour, calmness and concentration increased (Shin & Shin, 2019). Indeed, the psychological benefits of being in nature have been thoroughly researched (Bowler et al, 2010), with findings indicating that even brief nature contact can reliably improve hedonic and self‐transcendent emotions (Neill et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of soothing images and soothing sounds on mood and well‐being

Witten

Ryynanen

Wisdom

et al. 2022

British J Clinic Psychol

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Objectives: Mental health problems are increasing at an alarming rate, calling for the need for more cost-effective and easily accessible interventions. Visual images and sounds depicting nature have been found to have positive effects on individuals' mood and well-being; however, the combined effects of images and sounds have been scarcely investigated. This study therefore aimed to compare the mood effects of viewing nature-related soothing images versus listening to soothing sounds versus a combination of both. Methods: In this study, 149 participants aged 18-83 years old (M = 35.88, SD = 15.63; 72.5% female, male 26.8%, .7% transgender) were randomised into three intervention conditions: images only, sounds only or combined (images and sounds). Baseline depressive and anxiety symptoms were indexed, and four outcome variables (positive affect, negative affect, serenity affect and depressive mood states) were measured pre-and post-intervention. Results: Findings showed that all participants, regardless of group, reported a decrease in negative affect, positive affect and depressive mood as well as an increase in serenity affect (including feelings of soothe). However, there were no group differences. Exploratory analyses found that individuals with higher levels of depressive and anxiety symptoms at baseline experienced greater reduction in negative affect and depressive mood state, as well as a larger increase in serenity affect. Conclusions: These findings therefore provide preliminary evidence that, upon further research and development, images and sounds depicting nature can potentially be developed for use as an effective tool to improve mood and well-being.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of soothing images and soothing sounds on mood and well‐being

Witten

Ryynanen

Wisdom

et al. 2022

British J Clinic Psychol

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Investigating the mood effects of nature sounds and soothing images in adolescents: A proof-of-concept randomised control pilot study

Ryynanen,

MacLennan,

Witten

et al. 2023

Wellcome Open Res

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Background: High prevalence of mental health problems in adolescents indicates a need for more accessible evidence-based interventions. Connection with nature and soothing imagery based on compassion focused therapy (CFT) have both been shown to offer mood benefits, with a recent study showing that both nature related sounds and soothing images were effective in reducing negative affect and depressive mood in adults. This pilot study aimed to extend this line of research by examining whether nature related sounds and soothing images could, independently and/or collectively, improve adolescents’ mood. Methods: Our online study included 88 adolescents, aged 13-17, randomly allocated into one of three experimental conditions (viewing soothing images, listening to nature related to sounds, or combined). They also completed pre- and post-assessments of positive affect, negative affect, serenity affect, state anxiety and state depression. Symptoms of depression and anxiety were indexed at baseline using standardised self-reported measures. Results: Adolescents, regardless of group, reported an increase in serenity affect and a reduction in negative mood states across time. Additionally, these mood changes appeared to be more pronounced in those with higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms at baseline. Conclusions: Our findings provide preliminary evidence that, upon further research development and replication, nature related sounds and soothing images could be incorporated into therapies such as CFT to support mental health in young people. Registration: ISRCTN16916695.

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The Effects of Viewing Natural Scenery Indoors on Middle School Students’ Changes in Mood States and Concentration

Cited by 2 publications

References 11 publications

Effects of soothing images and soothing sounds on mood and well‐being

Effects of soothing images and soothing sounds on mood and well‐being

Investigating the mood effects of nature sounds and soothing images in adolescents: A proof-of-concept randomised control pilot study

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