Influence of Forest Visitors' Perceived Restorativeness on Social-Psychological Stress.

Don-Gak Lee,Jin-Gun Kim,Young-Mi Jeong,Yung-Kyoon Yoon,Won-Sop Shin,Mi-Mi Lee

doi:10.3390/ijerph18126328

Abstract

This study was conducted to verify the perceived restorativeness of citizens visiting forests on social–psychological stress and psychological resilience according to forest space type. The study involved a questionnaire survey conducted on citizens who visited forests between 1 May and 15 July 2020, when social distancing in daily life was being implemented. Three types of forest spaces (urban forest, national park, and natural recreation forest) were selected for the survey. They used the survey results of 1196 people as analysis data for this study. In this study, the PRS (Perceived Restorativeness Scale) and the PWI-SF (Psychosocial Well-being Index Short Form) were used to evaluate perceived restorativeness and social–psychological stress of citizens visiting forests. In the study, the average score of visitors’ perceived restorativeness was 5.31 ± 0.77. Social–psychological stress was found in the healthy group, potential stress group, and high-risk group. These groups made up 8.0%, 82.5%, and 9.5% of the respondents, respectively. Pearson’s correlation analysis between perceived restorativeness and social–psychological stress revealed that the higher the perceived restorativeness, the lower the social–psychological stress. “Diversion Mood”, “Not bored”, and “Coherence”, which are the sub-factors of perceived restorativeness according to the forest space type, were found to have meaningful results for psychological resilience. However, there was no significant difference in the forest space type between “Compatibility” and social–psychological stress, which are sub-factors of perceived restorativeness. In conclusion, the forest space type affects the psychological resilience of those who visit the forest. Urban forests, national parks, and natural recreation forests are places to reduce stress.

Highlights

Unprecedented circumstances such as urbanized society, sedentary lifestyle, unstable employment, climate change, and COVID-19 have led to an increase in stress and anxiety across the world’s population [1,2,3]
The COVID-19 epidemic, a new disease that causes severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2), affects our society as a whole, individuals, and families, and composes multidimensional stressors including physical risk, disruption in daily life, uncertainty, social isolation, economic loss, and unemployment risk [4,5]
1196 visitors who responded from urban forests, national parks, and natural recreation forests were taken as a sample group

Summary

Introduction

Unprecedented circumstances such as urbanized society, sedentary lifestyle, unstable employment, climate change, and COVID-19 have led to an increase in stress and anxiety across the world’s population [1,2,3]. Stress brings a significant increase in noncommunicable diseases such as cardiovascular, metabolism, immunology, oncology and psychiatric disorders [6,7]. Noncommunicable diseases can be prevented through healthier environments, but the incidence and mortality rates are increasing worldwide [8]. Measures to recover from stress and promote healthy lifestyles are very important to public health. The natural environment gives a sense of psychological satisfaction and stability, reduces stress, and increases immunity [9].

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion