How Do Nature-Based Activities Benefit Essential Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic? The Mediating Effect of Nature Connectedness

Xiang Huang, Liangyi Luo (), Xinyi Li, Yingxin Lin, Zhiqiang Chen and Chen Jin
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Xiang Huang: School of Tourism Management, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Liangyi Luo: School of Tourism Management, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Xinyi Li: Faculty of Education, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
Yingxin Lin: School of Tourism Management, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
Zhiqiang Chen: China Nature Education Network, Shenzhen 518028, China
Chen Jin: China Nature Education Network, Shenzhen 518028, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-13

Abstract: Although many studies have suggested that nature-based activities have a healing effect on human beings, there is little research on the underlying mechanism. This study investigated the role of nature connectedness in the relationship between the perception of nature and individuals’ physical and psychological health. We recruited essential workers who participated in disease prevention and control during the COVID-19 pandemic and their family members as the subjects for this study. The stress levels experienced by this group made them an ideal sample. The results of a survey-based study showed that nature-based activities had a positive effect on alleviating state anxiety levels. The results also showed that nature-based activities affected perceived restoration via the feeling of nature connectedness. This study examined the healing effect of nature-based activities that stimulate the five senses and nature connectedness and explored the potential of nature-based treatments for people experiencing high levels of stress.

Keywords: nature connectedness; five senses; perceived restoration; state anxiety; healing effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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