Utah State University DigitalCommons@USU All Graduate Theses and Dissertations Graduate Studies 8-2012 An Exploration of the Relationships Among Connectedness to Nature, Quality of Life, and Mental Health Peter Gelden Tauber Utah State University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd Part of the Psychology Commons Recommended Citation Tauber, Peter Gelden, "An Exploration of the Relationships Among Connectedness to Nature, Quality of Life, and Mental Health" (2012). All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 1260. https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1260 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate Studies at DigitalCommons@USU. It has been accepted for inclusion in All Graduate Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@USU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. AN EXPLORATION OF THE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG CONNECTEDNESS TO NATURE, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND MENTAL HEALTH by Peter G. Tauber A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF SCIENCE in Psychology Approved: Gayle S. Morse, Ph.D. M. Scott DeBerard, Ph.D. Committee Chair Committee Member JoAnn T. Tschanz, Ph.D. Mark R. McLellan, Ph.D. Committee Member Vice President for Research and Dean of the School of Graduate Studies UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY Logan, Utah 2012 ii Copyright © Peter G. Tauber 2012 All Rights Reserved iii ABSTRACT An Exploration of the Relationships Among Connectedness to Nature, Quality of Life, and Mental Health by Peter G. Tauber, Master of Science Utah State University, 2012 Major Professor: Gayle S. Morse, Ph.D. Department: Psychology The current study examined the relationships among connectedness to nature (CTN), quality of life (QOL), and mental health (MH). Theory in biophilia and ecopsychology has emphasized the importance of the human relationship with the natural world for the health of individuals, our species, and our planet as a whole. Previous research has documented the relationship between experiences in nature and outcomes of health and well-being. However, scant research has examined the correlates of the concept of CTN. Furthermore, no research has examined the relationship between CTN and measures of well-being such as QOL or MH. In the current study, 267 undergraduate students completed a series of self-report items measuring CTN, QOL, MH, and demographic characteristics. Significant relationships between CTN and all categories of dependent variables (QOL, MH, and demographics) were found. In addition, the subcategory of CTN closely related to the desire for direct experiences in nature, NR iv experience was shown to have a stronger relationship to QOL and MH than overall CTN—as evidenced by more significant correlations and by serving as a better predictive model through multiple regression. QOL, MH, and demographic variables were collectively found to predict 21% of the variance in overall CTN, while those same variables were found to predict 35% of the variance in NR experience. Implications of these findings based on previous research, limitations of the current study, and future avenues of research are discussed. (126 pages) v PUBLIC ABSTRACT An Exploration of the Relationships Among Connectedness to Nature, Quality of Life, and Mental Health by Peter G. Tauber, Master of Science Utah State University, 2012 In recent decades, a new branch of psychology has emerged—ecopsychology. This field looks at the complex relationship between human beings and the natural world. Previous research has shown the importance of direct experiences in nature for the promotion of human health and well-being. However, it is still not understood why these experiences in nature carry so much importance. It is possible that the concept of connectedness to nature (CTN) plays a role in this relationship between nature and wellness. CTN is defined as feelings of close affiliation with the natural world in a physical, cognitive, and emotional manner. Previous research leaves open the possibility that these feelings of affiliation and connectedness may contribute to well-being. To try to better understand this idea, a survey was designed to measure CTN, quality of life, and mental health. Since research of these ideas has never been performed before, this should be considered an exploratory project. In this current study, 267 undergraduates at Utah State University participated. Results indicated that certain aspects of mental health and quality of life were related to overall CTN. First, relationships were found between mental health and quality of life variables and one specific aspect of CTN which can also be thought of as the desire to have direct experiences in the natural world. Second, demographic factors such as age, gender, and ethnicity were all associated with CTN. Future research should try to understand what things might contribute to CTN and to develop interventions which might increase CTN and well-being. vi ACKNOWLEDGMENTS First and foremost, I would like to extend my greatest feelings of appreciation and gratitude to my advisor, Dr. Gayle Morse. Gayle, your support, encouragement, and wise counsel throughout this process have been invaluable. You have been my rock, providing not only academic guidance but personal and spiritual support as well. I do not believe that I could have made it to this point without your compassion, strength, and wisdom. I could not have asked for a better advisor and mentor. I extend my deepest bow to you. I would also like to thank the other members of my committee, Drs. Joann Tschanz and Scott DeBerard. Through your guidance, I have learned how to transform my writing from the flowery, descriptive prose consistent with my liberal arts background into the precise, evidence-based style of scientific writing where claims are always accompanied by supporting evidence. In addition, your insistence on methodological and statistical rigor has challenged me to think critically about the research process and greatly aided in my development as a scientist. I could also not have made it to this point without the support of my family and the unconditional love and acceptance of my parents, John and Suzy Tauber. Mom and Dad, it was your continual support and warmth from the day of my birth until the present that enabled me to grow and flourish. You have instilled in me the value of education and the feeling of accomplishment that comes when hard work is met with success in any domain. I am deeply grateful for your continued love, guidance, and support. I love you both immeasurably. I would also like to thank my friends at USU for their continued support and care. vii Krista, Ellen, Sarah, Justice, Morey, and James—thank you all so much for your support. You provided me with advice and ideas when I needed them, a shoulder to lean on when feeling weak, and companionship to celebrate the many good times that we shared. I could rely on you to help me through difficult times, be they academic or personal in nature. I simply could not have made it to this point without your support, smiles, and thoughtfulness. Finally, I would like to acknowledge my greatest inspiration for this entire project—nature herself. Were it not for the days spent bobbing on my surfboard in the Pacific, the nights underneath the limitless expanse of Utah’s skies, the moments of unbearable beauty that accompany the rise and setting of the sun, and the countless moments of awe that accompany my time in the green mountains and red rock desert, I would not have my passion for this field and this idea. Namaste—a deep bow to you all. Peter G. Tauber viii CONTENTS Page ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................... iii PUBLIC ABSTRACT ................................................................................................... v ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................. vi LIST OF TABLES ......................................................................................................... x LIST OF FIGURES ....................................................................................................... xi CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................... 1 II. LITERATURE REVIEW ............................................................................... 4 The Literature Review Procedure ................................................................... 4 Philosophical and Theoretical Underpinnings of Connectedness to Nature ... 5 Measures Quantifying the Human-Nature Relationship ................................. 9 Quality of Life................................................................................................. 16 Quality of Life and Connectedness to Nature ................................................. 20 Mental Health and Connectedness to Nature .................................................. 24 Mental Health.................................................................................................. 31 Quality of Life and Mental Health .................................................................. 32 Concluding Remarks ....................................................................................... 33 Specific Aims and Research Questions .......................................................... 33 III. METHODS ....................................................................................................