Blue Childhood, Peaceful Mind: Pathways from Nature Connectedness to Improved Thinking at the Shore

Childhood experiences of nature are increasingly recognized as formative for long term psychological well-being. Grounded in Granular Interaction Thinking Theory (GITT) and analyzed using the Bayesian Mindsponge Framework (BMF), this study examines whether childhood residential proximity to the coast and adult nature connectedness are associated with peace of mind during coastal visits, and whether this emotional state is linked to improved cognitive functioning. Using survey data from 1,939 Flemish adults visiting the Belgian coast, Bayesian interaction models reveal a complex, non-linear interplay between childhood coastal proximity and nature connectedness. While both greater childhood distance from the coast and higher nature connectedness are positively associated with peace of mind, their interaction produces asymmetric effects, allowing visitors to be theoretically classified into four cognitive–affective profiles. Notably, individuals with close childhood proximity but low nature connectedness exhibit the lowest peace-of-mind outcomes, suggesting that negative or unmanaged early coastal experiences may crystallize into enduring cognitive constraints rather than confer uniform benefits. Beyond emotional restoration, peace of mind is found to be positively associated with enhanced problem-solving ability and improved capacity to organize thoughts and emotions, indicating gains in cognitive clarity. These findings challenge linear exposure-based assumptions in the human–nature–health literature and highlight the importance of life-course informational benchmarks in shaping nature-based restoration. The study underscores that access to coastal environments alone is insufficient; how individuals learn to interpret and engage with nature is crucial for its restorative potential.