Nature Exposure’s Impact on Mental Health and Pro-Environmental Behavior – An Umbrella Literature Review

In this seminar, Martina Bubalo will present her umbrella review on Nature Exposure’s Impact on Mental Health and Pro-Environmental Behavior. See abstract below.

People worldwide are confronting growing mental health concerns and the global community as a whole struggles with urgent environmental challenges. Therefore, the intersection between mental health and pro-environmental behavior (PEB) emerges as a relevant study field. This umbrella review synthesizes existing research to answer the overarching question: What are the outcomes of nature exposure on mental health and pro-environmental behavior? Furthermore, it aims to position the role of nature connectedness as a possible mediating factor between nature exposure, mental health and PEB.

Our review offers a comprehensive examination of studies from diverse fields, including psychology, environmental science and public health. By employing an umbrella review methodology following PRISMA guidelines, we summarize existing research syntheses on the outcomes of nature exposure and nature connectedness on mental health and PEB, identifying main trends and gaps.

The first focus of our review is the psychological dimensions of nature exposure. We examine the literature to understand the cognitive, emotional, and physiological aspects of nature exposure on mental health outcomes, investigating the potential therapeutic effects of nature in reducing stress, anxiety and depression, and improving overall psychological well-being.

The second theme of our inquiry addresses the relationship between nature exposure and PEB. We examine reviews exploring the link between nature contact and the development of PEB, focusing on how nature exposure may contribute to fostering a stronger environmental ethic and encouraging sustainable practices.

Our review seeks to unravel the potential pathways between nature exposure, mental health, and PEB with nature connectedness as a potential mediator. The findings shed light on the potential of nature exposure as a multifaceted intervention with implications for both individual well-being and environmental sustainability. We identify valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners who wish to integrate nature-based solutions and interventions into mental health promotion and environmental conservation.