The aim of the present study is to investigate the effectiveness of a nature-based intervention on adaptive psychological functioning. We compared a structured protocol with a high level of nature engagement and involvement of multiple sensory processes with a waitlist control group. We expected that participants in the structured protocol of nature contact will report higher levels of mental health and more positive work-related functioning immediately and three months after the interventions.
This study aims to test the associations of nature contact with multiple dimensions of psychological functioning. A total of 90 university employees were randomly assigned to spend their lunch breaks on a (1) 30-minute structured protocol of nature contact and a (2) control group for 10 consecutive weekdays. Psychological distress, psychological well-being, and work-related psychological outcomes were assessed at baseline (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
90
This structured protocol was a 10-day nature-based program with high level of nature engagement and involvement of multiple sensory processes. The program was held in lunch breaks between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. Each session consisted of 30 minutes in the Eco Garden of The Education University of Hong Kong. Activities of this program included walking, ecological photography, sketching butterflies, planting vegetables, drinking herbal tea, observing birds, and taking a nap in nature. Each activity corresponded to specific sensory pathways. For example, butterfly sketching is focused on the use of visual sense, whereas drinking herbal tea involved sense of taste, smell, and touch. Trainers with master's degrees in environmental education and rich experience in guiding ecological tours provided instructions and guidance to participants during the activities. Participants were also asked to pay attention to their surroundings and focus on their five senses during participation.
The Education University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong, China
Change from baseline (T1) anxiety symptoms to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
The Chinese version of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) was used to measure anxiety symptoms at all time points. Participants rated each item on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day) based on their experience in the past two weeks. Higher scores indicated greater severity of anxiety symptoms (range = 0-21).
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Change from baseline (T1) depressive symptoms to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
Depressive symptoms were measured using the Chinese version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) at T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Participants rated each item on a 4-point scale as in GAD-7. Higher scores indicate the greatest severity of the depressive symptoms (range 0-27).
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Change from baseline (T1) perceived stress to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
Perceived stress was assessed at all time points using the Chinese version of the 10-item Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). Participants reported their subjective stress in the past two weeks on a 5-point scale (0 = never, 4 = very often). Total scores ranged from 0 to 40, with higher scores indicating higher levels of perceived stress.
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Change from baseline (T1) subjective well-being to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
The WHO-Five Well-being Index (WHO-5) consisted of five positively worded items. Participants were asked to report the presence of the five positive mental states in the past 2 weeks on a 6-point scale ranging from 0 (at no time) to 5 (all of the time).
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
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Change from baseline (T1) satisfaction with life to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) was used to assess participants' well-being with regard to satisfaction and fulfillment of their current state on a 4-point scale (1 = strongly disagree, 4 = strongly agree). The five items were summed, with higher scores indicating higher life satisfaction (range = 5-20).
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Change from baseline (T1) positive affect to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
The 10-item positive affect subscale of Chinese Affect Scale (CAS-PA) assessed frequency of positive emotional experience in the past 2 weeks on a 5-point scale (0 = not at all, 4 = all the time).
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Change from baseline (T1) burnout to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
Burnout was measured using the Chinese version of the 14-item Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) at all time points. Participants rated how often they had different experiences of burnout in the past two weeks on a 7-point scale (0 = never, 6 = always). The scale consisted of five questions on emotional exhaustion, four on cynicism, and five on professional efficacy.
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).
Change from baseline (T1) work engagement to post intervention (T2) and follow up (T3)
The Chinese version of the 17-item Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES) was used to assess vigor, dedication, and absorption at work at all time points. Participants indicated the frequency of these experiences at work in the past two weeks on a 7-point scale (0 = never, 6 = always).
Time frame: Before the intervention (T1), the day after the 10-day intervention (T2), and three months after the intervention (T3).