Nature exposure, nature connectedness, adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and mental wellbeing

Abstract

Prior research has consistently demonstrated that nature exposure and nature connectedness improve mental wellbeing, but more research is needed to understand the interplay between nature exposure, nature connectedness, and mental wellbeing and the mechanisms by which nature exposure and nature connectedness improve mental wellbeing. Two studies therefore tested three paths by which nature exposure and nature connectedness may promote adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies and mental wellbeing. Participants (Study 1: N = 171; Study 2: N = 170) completed measures of nature exposure, nature connectedness, adaptive and maladaptive emotion regulation strategies, and mental wellbeing outcomes (i.e., life satisfaction and positive and negative affect). Compelling evidence demonstrated that greater nature exposure and increased nature connectedness were both related to more use of cognitive reappraisal; that greater nature connectedness was related to increased use of refocus on planning; and that greater nature exposure predicted increased use of cognitive reappraisal and refocus on planning by enhancing nature connectedness. Robust evidence further showed that greater nature exposure and nature connectedness both facilitated improved mental wellbeing by promoting increased use of cognitive reappraisal. This research advances our understanding of the facilitating impact of nature exposure and nature connectedness on emotion regulation strategies and mental wellbeing.