Usability of Virtual Environment for Emotional Well-Being

Abstract

Nature is nowadays considered the most restorative environment. A brief exposure to a (real or virtual) nature environment help people to restore cognitive and affective resources. However, (1) the precise mechanism through nature support restorative process is undervalued in literature; (2) testing the possibility that a virtual reality (VR) device can evoke similar outcomes as real nature, the usability of such devices become an important factor to consider in the research. In this study we hypothesize a moderation effect of usability of device on the relationship between perceived restorative potential (PRP) of the environment and restorative outcomes (emotional and cognitive). 114 Italian students (83% female, mean (ds) age = 22.38 (6.50)) were immersed into a virtual nature environment using a virtual reality head-set (Oculus Rift). Before and after exposure, mood (positive and negative emotions) and attentive performance were evaluated. After exposure participants were also asked to report PRP and usability of VR device experienced. Result showed that the PRP predict emotional well-being, and that this relationship is moderated by usability of VR device. Only participants that perceived a high usability report different levels of emotions depending on how much they perceived the environment restorative. Conversely, people how reported difficulties in wearing headset VR or to adapt to the environment (i.e., low level of usability) did not show difference in emotional well-being depending on PRP.