IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v22y2025i3p427-d1612112.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Beneficial Interaction Between Human Well-Being and Natural Healthy Ecosystems: An Integrative Narrative Approach

Author

Listed:
  • Natividad Buceta-Albillos

    (Organisation Engineering, Business Management and Statistics, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain)

  • Esperanza Ayuga-Téllez

    (Buildings, Infrastructures and Projects for Rural and Environmental Engineering (BIPREE), Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, José Antonio Novais 10, 28040 Madrid, Spain)

Abstract

This study highlights the lack of research on the relationship between ecosystem services, climate change, and human well-being. The experiences with the COVID-19 pandemic show the value of the natural environment for people’s well-being. We propose a framework that fosters an integrative approach to enhance our connection with nature, which is vital for tackling current environmental challenges. We reviewed over 70 articles and 160 references from databases such as Elsevier, ScienceDirect, Dialnet, MDPI, and Taylor & Francis, focusing on the correlation between pro-environmental behavior and emotional bonds with nature. Increasing our awareness of nature is crucial for fostering sustainable ecosystems. To deepen our understanding of how this connection influences human well-being and ecosystem health, we advocate for the application of specific neuroscience and artificial intelligence techniques. The study presents a compendium of prospective research topics for future investigation and analysis. In particular, it underscores the significance of this research for the development of effective policy and practical applications in the realm of conservation efforts.

Suggested Citation

  • Natividad Buceta-Albillos & Esperanza Ayuga-Téllez, 2025. "The Beneficial Interaction Between Human Well-Being and Natural Healthy Ecosystems: An Integrative Narrative Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(3), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:22:y:2025:i:3:p:427-:d:1612112
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/427/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/22/3/427/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Adriano Bressane & Joao Pedro da Cunha Pinto & Líliam César de Castro Medeiros, 2024. "Recognizing Patterns of Nature Contact Associated with Well-Being: An Exploratory Cluster Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-14, May.
    2. Eleanor M. Taylor & Noelle Robertson & Courtney J. Lightfoot & Alice C. Smith & Ceri R. Jones, 2022. "Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Wellbeing in Long-Term Conditions: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Yiping Yang & Le Sun & Buxin Han & Pingping Liu, 2023. "The Trajectory of Anthropomorphism and Pro-Environmental Behavior: A Serial Mediation Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-19, January.
    4. John Zelenski & Sara Warber & Jake M. Robinson & Alan C. Logan & Susan L. Prescott, 2023. "Nature Connection: Providing a Pathway from Personal to Planetary Health," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-23, March.
    5. Hong Tian & Xinyu Liu, 2022. "Pro-Environmental Behavior Research: Theoretical Progress and Future Directions," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-16, May.
    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. Mona Said El-Sherbini & Yusuf Amuda Tajudeen & Habeebullah Jayeola Oladipo & Iyiola Olatunji Oladunjoye & Aminat Olaitan Adebayo & Jemilah Mahmood, 2023. "Planetary Health and Anthropocene Discourse: The Role of Muslim Religious Leaders," Challenges, MDPI, vol. 14(4), pages 1-16, November.
    2. Hui Cheng & Chunmei Mao, 2024. "Disparities in Environmental Behavior from Urban–Rural Perspectives: How Socioeconomic Status Structures Influence Residents’ Environmental Actions—Based on the 2021 China General Social Survey Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-27, September.
    3. Shruti Ashish Lahoti & Shalini Dhyani & Mesfin Sahle & Pankaj Kumar & Osamu Saito, 2024. "Exploring the Nexus between Green Space Availability, Connection with Nature, and Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Urban Landscape," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(13), pages 1-15, June.
    4. Mircea Cătălin Dîrțu & Oara Prundeanu, 2023. "Narcissism and Pro-Environmental Behaviors: The Mediating Role of Self-Monitoring, Environmental Control and Attitudes," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(2), pages 1-16, January.
    5. Zhihong Meng & Saad Mahmood Bhatti & Rana Tahir Naveed & Sara kanwal & Mohammad Adnan, 2024. "Green sustainability in the hotel sector: The role of CSR, intrinsic green motivation, and personal environmental norms," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(6), pages 1-23, June.
    6. Isabelle Soulé & Chloé Littzen-Brown & Amber L. Vermeesch & Layla Garrigues, 2022. "Expanding the Mind–Body–Environment Connection to Enhance the Development of Cultural Humility," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-8, October.
    7. Lee, Stacy H.N. & Chang, Hyo Jung (Julie) & Zhao, Li, 2023. "The importance of personal norms and situational expectancies to sustainable behaviors: The norm activation and situational expectancy-value theories," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 73(C).
    8. Dekila Chungyalpa & Pilar E. Gauthier & Robin I. Goldman & M. Vikas & Christine D. Wilson-Mendenhall, 2025. "A Framework for Deep Resilience in the Anthropocene," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 49-64, April.
    9. Tila Robinson & Noelle Robertson & Ffion Curtis & Natalie Darko & Ceri R. Jones, 2022. "Examining Psychosocial and Economic Barriers to Green Space Access for Racialised Individuals and Families: A Narrative Literature Review of the Evidence to Date," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-28, December.
    10. M. M. Sulphey & Nassar Saad AlKahtani & Nabil Ahmed Mareai Senan & Anass Hamad Elneel Adow, 2023. "New Environmental Paradigm, Environmental Attitude, and Proenvironmental Behaviour as Antecedents of Environmental Sustainability," International Journal of Energy Economics and Policy, Econjournals, vol. 13(3), pages 418-427, May.
    11. Adriano Bressane & Anna Isabel Silva Loureiro & Líliam César de Castro Medeiros & Rogério Galante Negri & Ana Paula Garcia Goulart, 2024. "Overcoming Barriers to Managing Urban Green Spaces in Metropolitan Areas: Prospects from a Case Study in an Emerging Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-14, August.
    12. Junxian Shen & Hongfeng Zhang, 2024. "Individuals’ Social Identity and Pro-Environmental Behaviors: Cross-Cultural Evidence from 48 Regions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-17, December.
    13. Agata Niemczyk & Zofia Gródek-Szostak & Donata Adler & Michał Niewiadomski & Eva Benková, 2023. "Green Entrepreneurship: Knowledge and Perception of Students and Professionals from Poland and Slovakia," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(1), pages 1-24, December.
    14. Toshima Makoondlall-Chadee & Chandradeo Bokhoree, 2024. "Understanding the Influencing Factors of Pro-Environmental Behavior in the Hotel Sector of Mauritius Island," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 5(4), pages 1-35, October.
    15. Saeed Alzahrani & Anish Kumar Bhunia, 2024. "A Serial Mediation Model of the Relationship between Digital Entrepreneurial Education, Alertness, Motivation, and Intentions," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-21, October.
    16. Adriano Bressane & Maria Eduarda Guedes Ferreira & Ana Júlia da Silva Garcia & Líliam César de Castro Medeiros, 2024. "Is Having Urban Green Space in the Neighborhood Enough to Make a Difference? Insights for Healthier City Design," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(7), pages 1-13, July.
    17. Maria Antoniadou & Georgios Chrysochoou & Rafael Tzanetopoulos & Elena Riza, 2023. "Green Dental Environmentalism among Students and Dentists in Greece," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-24, June.
    18. Yilin Sun & Li Zhu & Ni Zhang & Honglin Wu & Quhan Chen & Haolong Wang, 2024. "Study on Pro-Environmental Behavior to Enhance Rural Social-Ecological Resilience: The Role of Place Identity and Social Cohesion as Mediating Mechanisms," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-26, December.
    19. Maria Antoniadou, 2024. "The ECODENT Model for Enhancing Pro-environmental Behaviors in Dentists," Circular Economy and Sustainability, Springer, vol. 4(2), pages 1387-1403, June.
    20. Joanna Adamska-Mieruszewska & Piotr Zientara & Urszula Mrzygłód & Anna Fornalska, 2025. "Motivations for participation in green crowdfunding: Evidence from the UK," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 27(3), pages 6139-6164, March.

    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:427-:d:1612112. 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.