An Experimental Exploration of the Effects of Exposure to Images of Nature on Rumination

Sarah Elizabeth Golding, Birgitta Gatersleben and Mark Cropley
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Sarah Elizabeth Golding: School of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Birgitta Gatersleben: School of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
Mark Cropley: School of Psychology, Faculty of Health & Medical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 2, 1-19

Abstract: Exposure to natural environments has been shown to have beneficial effects on mood. Rumination is a thinking style associated with negative mood, and sometimes depression, and is characterized by repetitive, intrusive thoughts, often with a negative emotional element. This study investigated whether exposure to nature, operationalized using photographs presented as a slideshow, could aid reduction in levels of state rumination. An experimental, within-between (Time x Condition) participant design was used; participants ( n = 58) undertook a presentation task designed to induce rumination and influence mood. Participants were then randomly allocated to either: watch a slideshow of a natural environment, watch a slideshow of an urban environment, or wait patiently with no distractions. Data were collected at baseline, after the presentation, and after the slideshow. Environmental exposure had no effect on levels of rumination or negative mood, but did have a significant effect on levels of positive mood, ‘being away’, and ‘fascination’. Positive mood declined in those who saw the urban slideshow, but remained the same in those who saw the nature slideshow, whilst levels of being away and fascination were highest in those who saw the nature slideshow. This study extends previous restorative environment research by exploring the effects of nature on rumination.

Keywords: psychological restoration; natural environments; urban environments; restorative environments; rumination; mood (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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