Testing a New Protocol of Nature-Based Intervention to Enhance Well-Being: A Randomized Control Trial

Po Lam Ho, Tsz Wai Li, Huinan Liu, Tsun Fung Yeung and Wai Kai Hou
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Po Lam Ho: Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Tsz Wai Li: Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Huinan Liu: Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Tsun Fung Yeung: Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
Wai Kai Hou: Centre for Psychosocial Health, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 7, 1-14

Abstract: This study aims to test the associations of nature contact with multiple dimensions of psychological functioning. A total of 90 university employees were randomly assigned to spend their lunch breaks on (1) a 30-min structured protocol of nature contact and (2) a control group for 10 consecutive weekdays. Psychological distress, psychological well-being, and work-related psychological outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3). Mixed-design analyses of variance (ANOVA) were conducted. Overall, significant intervention effects were found in the structured protocol of nature contact on psychological distress, well-being outcomes, and work engagement (all p < 0.05), whereas the 3-month post-intervention effects were non-significant. Our study showed that nature-based activities during lunch breaks could enhance office workers’ mental health in general, but the effects could be short-lived, calling for regular nature-based programs in occupational settings.

Keywords: nature-based intervention; restorative environments; psychological well-being; health promotion; lunch break (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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