Connection to nature is predicted by family values, social norms and personal experiences of nature

Abstract

To achieve broad-based public support for conservation policies and actions, we need to understand what strengthens a person’s connection to nature, since that has been shown to translate into environmentally protective attitudes and behaviour. We conducted a national survey in Singapore to investigate the associations of family values (biospheric, altruistic, and egoistic), social norms relating to spending time in nature, and experiences of nature, with three dimensions of connection to nature (measured using the nature-relatedness scale) – NR-Perspective (cognitive), NR-Self (affective) and NR-Experience (experiential). We found that family values were significantly associated with all three dimensions of a person’s connection to nature. Biospheric and altruistic family values had a direct and positive association with NR-Perspective, while egoistic family values had a direct but negative association. The relationship between biospheric values and the three dimensions of connection to nature was also mediated through social norms of family and friends, and experiences of nature. Our findings indicate that family values, social norms and experiences of nature can variously explain different aspects of connection to nature, and that strategies focused on strengthening and/or appealing to biospheric family values, and the design of interventions that make spending time in nature with family and friends a social norm, could be useful in enhancing connection to nature in people.