The contribution of environmental sensitivity and connectedness to nature to mental health: Does nature view count? - UTU Research Portal

A1 Refereed original research article in a scientific journal

The contribution of environmental sensitivity and connectedness to nature to mental health: Does nature view count?

Authors: Wigley, Isabella L. C. Mariani; Nazzari, Sarah; Pastore, Massimiliano; Provenzi, Livio; Barello, Serena

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Publishing place: LONDON

Publication year: 2025

Journal: Journal of Environmental Psychology

Journal name in source: Journal of Environmental Psychology

Journal acronym: J ENVIRON PSYCHOL

Article number: 102541

Volume: 102

Number of pages: 9

ISSN: 0272-4944

eISSN: 1522-9610

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102541(external)

Web address : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2025.102541(external)

Self-archived copy’s web address: https://research.utu.fi/converis/portal/detail/Publication/175018571(external)

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of mental health concerns, coupled with rapid urbanization, underscores the need for comprehensive research into the complex dynamics between human beings and their natural surroundings. The present study seeks to elucidate the individual and interactive pathways linking environmental sensitivity, connectedness to nature, and exposure to nature with mental health outcomes. Data were collected via a crosssectional survey involving a large sample of n = 807 Italian citizens. Bayesian analyses revealed that higher environmental sensitivity was associated with increased risk of reporting symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Additionally, connectedness to nature mediated the relationship between environmental sensitivity and mental health problems, while nature exposure interacted with environmental sensitivity to predict levels of nature connectedness. Specifically, visual exposure to nature appears to enhance the feeling of connection to nature, particularly among highly sensitive individuals, thereby mitigating the risk of psychological distress. These findings suggest that fostering a connection with nature, particularly for those with high environmental sensitivity, may be a crucial strategy for promoting mental well-being in urban environments.

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Funding information in the publication:
This study was partially funded by Regione Emilia Romagna to author SB. Author SN was supported by a co-funding of the European Union—European Social Fund REACT-EU, PON Ricerca e Innovazione 2014–2020. Author LP was supported by the Italian Health Ministry, Ricerca Corrente 2022–2024. Work supported by #NEXTGENERATIONEU (NGEU) and funded by the Ministry of University and Research (MUR), National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP), project MNESYS (PE0000006) – A Multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease (DN. 1553 11.10.2022).