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Why We Need More Nature at Work: Effects of Natural Elements and Sunlight on Employee Mental Health and Work Attitudes

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  • Mihyang An
  • Stephen M Colarelli
  • Kimberly O'Brien
  • Melanie E Boyajian

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of natural elements and direct and indirect sunlight exposure on employee mental health and work attitudes. We recruited participants via an online panel from the United States and India, and analyzed data from 444 employees. Natural elements and sunlight exposure related positively to job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and negatively to depressed mood and anxiety. Direct sunlight was a dominant predictor of anxiety; indirect sunlight was a dominant predictor of depressed mood, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Natural elements buffered the relationship between role stressors and job satisfaction, depressed mood, and anxiety. We also found that depressed mood partially mediated the relationship between natural elements and job satisfaction. We discuss scientific and policy implications of these findings.

Suggested Citation

  • Mihyang An & Stephen M Colarelli & Kimberly O'Brien & Melanie E Boyajian, 2016. "Why We Need More Nature at Work: Effects of Natural Elements and Sunlight on Employee Mental Health and Work Attitudes," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 11(5), pages 1-17, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0155614
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155614
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    1. Van der Klink, J.J.L. & Blonk, R.W.B. & Schene, A.H. & Van Dijk, F.J.H., 2001. "The benefits of interventions for work-related stress," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(2), pages 270-276.
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    3. Iulian Dincă & Dragoș Dărăbăneanu & Ionuț Mihai Oprea, 2021. "Collective and Social Representations on Nature and Environment: Social Psychology Investigation in Rural Areas," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, December.
    4. Davide Elia Bertani & Antonella Maria Pia De Novellis & Riccardo Farina & Emanuela Latella & Matteo Meloni & Carmela Scala & Laura Valeo & Gian Maria Galeazzi & Silvia Ferrari, 2021. "“Shedding Light on Light”: A Review on the Effects on Mental Health of Exposure to Optical Radiation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-15, February.
    5. Arandjelović, Ognjen, 2023. "Resolving the Ethical Quagmire of the Persistent Vegetative State," SocArXiv xrwz8, Center for Open Science.
    6. Omar Hamdan Mohammad Alkharabsheh & Amar Hisham Jaaffar & Ying-Chyi Chou & Erni Rawati & Pok Wei Fong, 2022. "The Mediating Effect of Fatigue on the Nature Element, Organisational Culture and Task Performance in Central Taiwan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(14), pages 1-13, July.
    7. Alessandro Lorenzo Mura & Silvia Ariccio & Teresa Villani & Flavia Bonaiuto & Marino Bonaiuto, 2023. "The Physical Environment in Remote Working: Development and Validation of Perceived Remote Workplace Environment Quality Indicators (PRWEQIs)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    8. Luca Caruso, 2023. "Toward Regenerative Hospitality Business Models: The Case of “Hortel”," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(4), pages 1-24, December.

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