Using nature-based citizen science initiatives to enhance nature connection and mental health DOI Creative Commons
Rachel Rui Ying Oh, Andrés Felipe Suárez‐Castro, Richard A. Fuller

et al.

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Feb. 18, 2025

The global rise in mental health issues underscores the critical importance of assessing benefits engaging with nature. Beyond their primary aim involving citizens scientific data collection, nature-based citizen science initiatives offer significant potential for enhancing outcomes related to conservation (e.g., connection nature) and human wellbeing emotions, depression, stress, anxiety). However, effectiveness various types achieving specific remain unclear. This study evaluates changes eight nature before after participation five Australia Germany. These varied ecosystem type (urban parks, terrestrial forests freshwater streams) duration (from 15 min 48 h). We assessed three dimensions (Self, Experience Perspective) measured by Nature-Relatedness scale, (symptoms stress anxiety) using DASS-21 emotional states (positive negative emotions) Scale Positive Negative (SPANE). found that while participants generally reported improvements across all outcomes, only Queensland Trust Nature initiative, characterized its extended social interactions, demonstrated statistically enhancements emotions controlling socio-economic confounders. findings suggest short-term interventions can effectively alleviate anxiety symptoms boost depression may require more intensive than what is available through typical experiences. advocate reframing as integral components broader health-promoting strategies. By aligning efforts promotion frameworks, these achieve greater impact simultaneously advance understanding, support strategies improving health.

Language: Английский

Using nature-based citizen science initiatives to enhance nature connection and mental health DOI Creative Commons
Rachel Rui Ying Oh, Andrés Felipe Suárez‐Castro, Richard A. Fuller

et al.

Frontiers in Environmental Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 13

Published: Feb. 18, 2025

The global rise in mental health issues underscores the critical importance of assessing benefits engaging with nature. Beyond their primary aim involving citizens scientific data collection, nature-based citizen science initiatives offer significant potential for enhancing outcomes related to conservation (e.g., connection nature) and human wellbeing emotions, depression, stress, anxiety). However, effectiveness various types achieving specific remain unclear. This study evaluates changes eight nature before after participation five Australia Germany. These varied ecosystem type (urban parks, terrestrial forests freshwater streams) duration (from 15 min 48 h). We assessed three dimensions (Self, Experience Perspective) measured by Nature-Relatedness scale, (symptoms stress anxiety) using DASS-21 emotional states (positive negative emotions) Scale Positive Negative (SPANE). found that while participants generally reported improvements across all outcomes, only Queensland Trust Nature initiative, characterized its extended social interactions, demonstrated statistically enhancements emotions controlling socio-economic confounders. findings suggest short-term interventions can effectively alleviate anxiety symptoms boost depression may require more intensive than what is available through typical experiences. advocate reframing as integral components broader health-promoting strategies. By aligning efforts promotion frameworks, these achieve greater impact simultaneously advance understanding, support strategies improving health.

Language: Английский

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