The Influence of Connectedness to Nature on Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from the Randomized Controlled Trial Play&amp;Grow

Tanja Sobko,Gavin T L Brown

doi:10.3390/challe12010012

The Influence of Connectedness to Nature on Psychological Well-Being: Evidence from the Randomized Controlled Trial Play&Grow

Tanja Sobko, Gavin T L Brown

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/challe12010012

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Journal: Challenges	Publication Date: May 10, 2021
Citations: 5	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: University of Hong Kong, University of Auckland

Abstract

Urbanized children today have fewer opportunities to interact with nature which may lead to a greater risk of mental health problems. The objective of this randomized controlled trial was to investigate which particular changes in connectedness to nature (CN) would improve psychological well-being (PW) in young children. Six hundred and thirty-nine preschoolers (52.0% boys, age 34.9 ± 9.5 months) participated in Play&Grow, an early environmental education intervention. Children’s CN and PW were evaluated by parents before and after the program with validated measures; the CNI-PPC (four factors) and the SDQ, Strength and Difficulties questionnaire (five factors), respectively. The effectiveness of the intervention on the primary outcomes (CN, PW) as well as the relationship between them was analyzed in a repeated measures path model with intervention status as a causal predictor. Specific CN factors consistently increased ProSocial behavior and reduced Hyperactivity and Emotional problems. In summary, this study showed that the previously reported impact shifted from the total CN score to the specific CN factors. The Play&Grow intervention positively increased children’s CN and improved some aspects of psychological well-being in children which is a preliminary evidence of developmental benefits of connecting young children with nature. Our results indicate promising direction of action for the improvement of families’ psychological health.

Highlights

The mental health of urbanized children is of increasing concern
Reduced parental perceptions of psychological problems were found for children who were rated higher for responsibility for, enjoyment of, and awareness of nature [3]
The previously reported study [3] validated the newly created connectedness to nature (CN) scale by showing that it suppressed negative aspects of psychological well-being measured by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ, [19]) used to evaluate participants’ psychological development in the past three months; and increased its prosocial aspects, without distinguishing between those in or outside the RCT

Summary

Introduction

The mental health of urbanized children is of increasing concern. It is estimated that17.6% of preschoolers have some form of mental disorder [1]. The mental health of urbanized children is of increasing concern. Reduced parental perceptions of psychological problems were found for children who were rated higher for responsibility for, enjoyment of, and awareness of nature [3]. Introduce basic concepts regarding environmental awareness, parental feeding styles, and how these might relate to beliefs about healthy lifestyle and safety of children. Theories used: The Social Ecological Model (SEM), used in the micro-level environmental settings to improve eating habits through exo-environmental linkages, such as greater caregiver environmental awareness, in all sessions. Determination Theory (SDT) and Erikson’s Theory of Human Development (THD): on motivation and autonomy to set up goals in the family. Environmental education and Healthy eating: Food and nature.

Results

Discussion

Conclusion