Exposure to nature in immersive virtual reality increases connectedness to nature among people with low nature affinity

Abstract

Two studies tested the hypothesis that exposure to a small dosage of immersive nature using virtual reality (VR) enhances connectedness to nature (CN) and changes affective states among those with a low level of CN at baseline. In Study 1, participants (N = 31) perceived a three-session (10 min each) virtual nature intervention as restorative and saw a significant and progressive increase in their CN as well as a decrease in negative affect. CN was significantly associated with enjoyment of nature and motivation for future nature engagement. In Study 2, participants (N = 80) were randomly assigned to either a two-session (6 min each) virtual nature intervention or a control condition in which they were immersed in a virtual urban environment of the same duration as the treatment group. Exposure to virtual nature was perceived as more restorative than virtual urban and resulted in a greater improvement in CN. The intervention group reported more enjoyment of nature and greater motivation for future nature engagement compared with virtual urban. The effect on affective states was mixed.