IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v22y2025i3p369-d1604408.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Thriving Through Stressful Life Events with Nature: A Mixed-Method Study on Tending Indoor Plants and Rumination Resilience

Author

Listed:
  • Samieul Azad

    (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Environmental Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Stag Hill Campus, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

  • Melissa Marselle

    (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, Environmental Psychology, School of Psychology, University of Surrey, Stag Hill Campus, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK)

Abstract

Stressful life events are often undesirable, inevitable, and significant changes in one’s life, often triggering rumination and posing risks to mental health. However, these risks can be managed through coping strategies. Contact with nature has been shown to reduce rumination and enhance mental well-being. The current study investigated the effectiveness of a one-month nature-based intervention in enhancing psychological well-being and building resilience to manage rumination following a stressful life event. In this mixed-method study, 26 participants were randomly allocated to either an experimental group ( n = 13), which tended to the Zamioculcas zamiifolia indoor plant for one month, or a waitlist control group ( n = 13). Quantitative findings showed that tending to indoor plants was significantly effective in reducing depressive symptoms ( p = 0.003), perceived stress ( p < 0.001), negative affect ( p = 0.017), and rumination ( p = 0.015), as well as in enhancing resilience ( p = 0.03) compared to the control group post-intervention. Qualitative findings provided insight into how the nature-based intervention fosters rumination resilience, the mediating effects of tending to an indoor plant, and the contribution it makes to psychological well-being. ‘Offers a slice of nature by bringing the outside, in’ demonstrates how caring for indoor plants creates a bridge for connection with nature. ‘Fosters an emotionally regulating personal sanctuary’ captures how tending to indoor plants can help manage emotions and provide a sense of empowerment that helps mitigate the tendency to ruminate. ‘Plants seeds for improving self-care, personal growth and introspection’ highlights indoor plants as a symbolic representation of resilience and renewal. A narrative emerges: as indoor plants grow and thrive with attention, so too does the individual, forming a deep, reciprocal relationship between nature and personal well-being. This study demonstrates nature’s role in coping with stressful life events and developing rumination resilience, paving the way for further research to explore its caveats and refine and expand nature-based interventions.

Suggested Citation

  • Samieul Azad & Melissa Marselle, 2025. "Thriving Through Stressful Life Events with Nature: A Mixed-Method Study on Tending Indoor Plants and Rumination Resilience," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-37, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:369-:d:1604408
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/369/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/369/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jingni Ma, 2022. "Interaction with Nature Indoor: Psychological Impacts of Houseplants Care Behaviour on Mental Well-Being and Mindfulness in Chinese Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-14, November.
    2. Ke-Tsung Han & Li-Wen Ruan & Li-Shih Liao, 2022. "Effects of Indoor Plants on Human Functions: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analyses," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(12), pages 1-41, June.
    3. 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.
    4. Heba Maarouf, 2019. "Pragmatism as a Supportive Paradigm for the Mixed Research Approach: Conceptualizing the Ontological, Epistemological, and Axiological Stances of Pragmatism," International Business Research, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 12(9), pages 1-12, September.
    5. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    6. Terri Friedline & Zibei Chen & So’Phelia Morrow, 2021. "Families’ Financial Stress & Well-Being: The Importance of the Economy and Economic Environments," Journal of Family and Economic Issues, Springer, vol. 42(1), pages 34-51, July.
    7. Jake M. Robinson & Anna Jorgensen & Ross Cameron & Paul Brindley, 2020. "Let Nature Be Thy Medicine: A Socioecological Exploration of Green Prescribing in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-24, May.
    8. 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.
    9. 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.
    10. Ian Lahart & Patricia Darcy & Christopher Gidlow & Giovanna Calogiuri, 2019. "The Effects of Green Exercise on Physical and Mental Wellbeing: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-26, April.
    11. Tao Liu & Lin He & Wenhuan Yu & Thomas Freudenreich & Xianhao Lin, 2022. "Effect of Green Plants on Individuals’ Mental Stress during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-11, October.
    12. Lucy E. Keniger & Kevin J. Gaston & Katherine N. Irvine & Richard A. Fuller, 2013. "What are the Benefits of Interacting with Nature?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 10(3), pages 1-23, March.
    13. Iana Ivanova Tzankova & Catherine O’Sullivan & Alessandra Iva Facciuto & Luciana Sacchetti & Fabiana Fini & Elvira Cicognani & Annalisa Setti, 2023. "Engagement with Nature and the Home Environment: Wellbeing and Proenvironmental Behavior among Irish and Italian University Students during the COVID-19 Emergency," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(14), pages 1-10, July.
    14. Alessandro Rigolon & Matthew H. E. M. Browning & Olivia McAnirlin & Hyunseo (Violet) Yoon, 2021. "Green Space and Health Equity: A Systematic Review on the Potential of Green Space to Reduce Health Disparities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-27, March.
    15. Michelle C. Kondo & Kehinde O. Oyekanmi & Allison Gibson & Eugenia C. South & Jason Bocarro & J. Aaron Hipp, 2020. "Nature Prescriptions for Health: A Review of Evidence and Research Opportunities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-16, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. 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.
    2. Dahlia Stott & Chetan Sharma & Jonathan M Deutsch & Brandy-Joe Milliron, 2024. "The Connections among Interacting with Nature, Nature Relatedness and Dietary Choices: A Pilot Mixed Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, July.
    3. Jonathan P. Reeves & Conor H. D. John & Kevin A. Wood & Phoebe R. Maund, 2021. "A Qualitative Analysis of UK Wetland Visitor Centres as a Health Resource," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-25, August.
    4. Luke A. Vitagliano & Kelly L. Wester & Connie T. Jones & David L. Wyrick & Amber L. Vermeesch, 2023. "Group Nature-Based Mindfulness Interventions: Nature-Based Mindfulness Training for College Students with Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Dorothy Day Huntsman & Grzegorz Bulaj, 2025. "Home Environment as a Therapeutic Target for Prevention and Treatment of Chronic Diseases: Delivering Restorative Living Spaces, Patient Education and Self-Care by Bridging Biophilic Design, E-Commerc," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(2), pages 1-36, February.
    6. Nicole V. DeVille & Linda Powers Tomasso & Olivia P. Stoddard & Grete E. Wilt & Teresa H. Horton & Kathleen L. Wolf & Eric Brymer & Peter H. Kahn & Peter James, 2021. "Time Spent in Nature Is Associated with Increased Pro-Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-18, July.
    7. 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.
    8. Hope Foley & Matthew Leach & Xiaoqi Feng & Thomas Astell-Burt & Eric Brymer, 2023. "Towards Key Principles for the Design and Implementation of Nature Prescription Programs," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-14, June.
    9. Marcia P. Jimenez & Nicole V. DeVille & Elise G. Elliott & Jessica E. Schiff & Grete E. Wilt & Jaime E. Hart & Peter James, 2021. "Associations between Nature Exposure and Health: A Review of the Evidence," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-19, April.
    10. Varvara Charisi & Aglaia Zafeiroudi & Ioannis Trigonis & Ioannis Tsartsapakis & Charilaos Kouthouris, 2025. "The Impact of Green Spaces on Workplace Creativity: A Systematic Review of Nature-Based Activities and Employee Well-Being," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-19, January.
    11. Junia N. de Brito & Zachary C. Pope & Nathan R. Mitchell & Ingrid E. Schneider & Jean M. Larson & Teresa H. Horton & Mark A. Pereira, 2019. "Changes in Psychological and Cognitive Outcomes after Green versus Suburban Walking: A Pilot Crossover Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-12, August.
    12. Matt Noseworthy & Luke Peddie & E. Jean Buckler & Faith Park & Margaret Pham & Spencer Pratt & Arpreet Singh & Eli Puterman & Teresa Liu-Ambrose, 2023. "The Effects of Outdoor versus Indoor Exercise on Psychological Health, Physical Health, and Physical Activity Behaviour: A Systematic Review of Longitudinal Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-18, January.
    13. Sigbjørn Litleskare & Tadhg E. MacIntyre & Giovanna Calogiuri, 2020. "Enable, Reconnect and Augment: A New ERA of Virtual Nature Research and Application," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-19, March.
    14. Qian Sun & Mary Loveday & Saw Nwe & Nike Morris & Emily Boxall, 2023. "Green Social Prescribing in Practice: A Case Study of Walsall, UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(17), pages 1-20, September.
    15. Daniela Huber & Michaela Mayr & Arnulf Hartl & Sandra Sittenthaler & Eva Traut-Mattausch & Renate Weisböck-Erdheim & Johanna Freidl, 2022. "Sustainability of Hiking in Combination with Coaching in Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Quality of Life," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-19, March.
    16. Linda Powers Tomasso & Jie Yin & Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent & Jarvis T. Chen & Paul J. Catalano & John D. Spengler, 2021. "The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Wellbeing across Urban Gradients under COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    17. Nafsika Afentou & Patrick Moore & Katrina Hull & Jenny Shepherd & Stephanie Elliott & Emma Frew, 2022. "Inland Waterways and Population Health and Wellbeing: A Cross-Sectional Study of Waterway Users in the UK," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-23, October.
    18. Qiang Wen & Haiqiang Liu & Jinyuan Chen & Huiyao Ye & Zeyu Pan, 2023. "Evaluation of Satisfaction with the Built Environment of University Buildings under the Epidemic and Its Impact on Student Anxiety," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-23, February.
    19. Martina Zorić & Jelena Farkić & Marko Kebert & Emina Mladenović & Dragić Karaklić & Gorana Isailović & Saša Orlović, 2022. "Developing Forest Therapy Programmes Based on the Health Benefits of Terpenes in Dominant Tree Species in Tara National Park (Serbia)," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    20. Konrad Reuß & Christopher Huth, 2024. "Redefining Urban Recreation: A Demand Analysis for Urban Year-Round Green Exercise," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(11), pages 1-10, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:369-:d:1604408. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.