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Association between Contact with Nature and Anxiety, Stress and Depression Symptoms: A Primary Survey in Brazil

Author

Listed:
  • Adriano Bressane

    (Environmental Engineering Department, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos 12245-000, Brazil)

  • Rogério Galante Negri

    (Environmental Engineering Department, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos 12245-000, Brazil)

  • Irineu de Brito Junior

    (Environmental Engineering Department, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos 12245-000, Brazil)

  • Liliam César de Castro Medeiros

    (Environmental Engineering Department, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos 12245-000, Brazil)

  • Isabela Lopes Lima Araújo

    (Environmental Engineering Department, Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, São José dos Campos 12245-000, Brazil)

  • Mirela Beatriz Silva

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Program, Faculty of Engineering, São Paulo State University, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil)

  • Amanda Louisi dos Santos Galvão

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Program, Faculty of Engineering, São Paulo State University, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil)

  • Graziele Coraline Scofano da Rosa

    (Civil and Environmental Engineering Graduate Program, Faculty of Engineering, São Paulo State University, Bauru 17033-360, Brazil)

Abstract

Mental health benefits have been linked to human interaction with nature. However, most studies have been carried out in developed countries, limiting the generalizability of empirical findings to other parts of the world. To address this gap, this study was conducted in Brazil. The objective of the study was to assess whether the frequency of contact with nature affects the occurrence of anxiety, stress, and depression. Data were collected between June and July 2022 through an online survey ( n = 1186, 1 − α = 0.95, p = 0.05, 1 − β = 0.85, rho = 0.1). Thus, the public online survey made it possible to carry out voluntary response sampling suitable for an exploratory study, with the purpose of an initial understanding of an under-researched population. First, a logistic regression was performed for quantifying the association between contact with nature and mental symptoms. In addition, three groups of people having different frequencies (low, medium, and high) of contact with nature and a reference group, comprised of those who reported no contact, were compared using Kruskal–Wallis and Dwass–Steel–Chritchlow–Fligner tests. This study employs a cross-sectional design and relies on retrospective recall. As a result, the research hypothesis was confirmed. People who very rarely have contact with nature had a 97.95% probability of moderate occurrence of stress, which decreases to 20.98% for people who have contact with nature frequently. Furthermore, in the same comparison, the probability of occurrence was 3.6 times lower for anxiety and 4.8 times lower for depression. In conclusion, the evidence indicates that the greater the frequency of contact with nature, the lower the occurrence of stress, anxiety, and depression symptoms. Nevertheless, the benefits of this contact were significant only when its frequency was moderate (about once or twice a week) or higher.

Suggested Citation

  • Adriano Bressane & Rogério Galante Negri & Irineu de Brito Junior & Liliam César de Castro Medeiros & Isabela Lopes Lima Araújo & Mirela Beatriz Silva & Amanda Louisi dos Santos Galvão & Graziele Cora, 2022. "Association between Contact with Nature and Anxiety, Stress and Depression Symptoms: A Primary Survey in Brazil," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-10, August.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:17:p:10506-:d:895647
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Christopher J. Beedie & Andrew M. Lane & Robert Udberg & Peter C. Terry, 2022. "The 4R Model of Mood and Emotion for Sustainable Mental Health in Organisational Settings," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-28, September.

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