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Growing Resilience through Interaction with Nature: Can Group Walks in Nature Buffer the Effects of Stressful Life Events on Mental Health?

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  • Melissa R. Marselle

    (Department of Ecosystem Services, Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research—UFZ, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
    German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany)

  • Sara L. Warber

    (Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA
    European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter School of Medicine, Truro TR1 3HD, UK)

  • Katherine N. Irvine

    (Social, Economic and Geographical Sciences, The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen AB15 8QH, UK)

Abstract

Nature-based activities have been used as therapeutic interventions for those experiencing stress and mental ill health. This study investigates whether group walks could be a nature-based intervention to foster resilience, by buffering the effects of recent stressful life events on mental health. An observational research design with propensity score-matched samples compared the mental health of individuals who did (Nature Group Walkers, n = 1081) or did not (Non-Group Walkers, n = 435) attend nature group walks. A sub-sample of Frequent Nature Group Walkers (at least once per week, n = 631) was also investigated. Data were analyzed using multiple regression with an interaction term. All analyses were controlled for age, gender, and recent physical activity. Results showed that neither nature group walking, nor doing this frequently, moderated the effects of stressful life events on mental health. Using a main effects model, the positive associations of group walks in nature were at a greater magnitude than the negative associations of stressful life events on depression, positive affect, and mental well-being, suggesting an ‘undoing’ effect of nature group walks. Group walking schemes in natural environments may be an important public health promotion intervention for mental health.

Suggested Citation

  • Melissa R. Marselle & Sara L. Warber & Katherine N. Irvine, 2019. "Growing Resilience through Interaction with Nature: Can Group Walks in Nature Buffer the Effects of Stressful Life Events on Mental Health?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:6:p:986-:d:215178
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    3. Josca van Houwelingen-Snippe & Thomas J. L. van Rompay & Menno D. T. de Jong & Somaya Ben Allouch, 2020. "Does Digital Nature Enhance Social Aspirations? An Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-18, February.
    4. Jonah E. Trevino & Muntazar Monsur & Carol S. Lindquist & Catherine R. Simpson, 2022. "Student and Nature Interactions and Their Impact on Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, April.
    5. Jongwook Tae & Daeyoung Jeong & Jinhyung Chon, 2022. "How Can Apartment-Complex Landscaping Space Improve Residents’ Psychological Well-Being?: The Case of the Capital Region in South Korea," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(16), pages 1-15, August.
    6. Dahlia Stott & DeAndra Forde & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M. Deutsch & Michael Bruneau & Jennifer A. Nasser & Mara Z. Vitolins & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "Interactions with Nature, Good for the Mind and Body: A Narrative Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(3), pages 1-26, March.
    7. Zhenjun Zhu & Hongsheng Chen & Jianxiao Ma & Yudong He & Junlan Chen & Jingrui Sun, 2020. "Exploring the Relationship between Walking and Emotional Health in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-9, November.
    8. Phoebe R. Maund & Katherine N. Irvine & Jonathan Reeves & Emily Strong & Ruth Cromie & Martin Dallimer & Zoe G. Davies, 2019. "Wetlands for Wellbeing: Piloting a Nature-Based Health Intervention for the Management of Anxiety and Depression," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-17, November.

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