Nature Relatedness and Psychological Well-Being: Two Potential Mechanisms

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 18
  In Roundtable Session: Spirituality in Inquiry and Education: Tensions and Reflections

Abstract

Nature relatedness is defined as individual differences in connecting with nature through one’s feelings, thoughts and experiences (Nisbet, Zelenski, Murphy, 2009). Nature relatedness is known to have a therapeutic effect on different states of well-being (Mayer, Frantz, 2004; Howell, et. al., 2011; Cervinka et. al., 2012; Howell, Passmore, 2013; Tam, 2013; Zhang et. al., 2014). In this research, we examined whether meaning of life and self trancendence mediated the association between nature-relatedness and psychological well-being. 446 participants completed measures of nature relatedness, self-trancendence, meaning of life and psychological well-being. Mediational analyses revealed that meaning of life and self-trancendence fully mediated the association between nature relatedness and psychological well-being. Results are discussed with other findings and suggestions given.

Authors

• Alperen Senol, Istanbul Aydin University

• Halil Eksi, Marmara University

• Fusun Eksi, Istanbul Medeniyet Universitesi

• Çiğdem Demir Çelebi, Marmara University