Does Regular Nature Exposure Benefit Environmentally Engaged Students? Effects of Botanical Garden Walks on Psychological and Behavioral Outcomes

Abstract

Background and objective: The psychological and behavioral benefits of nature have been widely documented; yet less is known about whether these benefits are salient among environmentally engaged groups. This study examined the effects of walking regularly in a natural environment on the biospheric values, nature relatedness, psychological well-being, and pro-environmental behavioral intentions of university students in an environmental major. Methods: A total of 39 students were randomly assigned into treatment (n = 21) and control (n = 18) groups for a 15-week trial. The treatment group walked for 15 minutes in a campus botanical garden twice a week while the control group stayed indoor. Results: Pre-and post-test survey results indicated no significant effects of the treatment on the outcome variables, suggesting that those who engage with nature for disciplinary purposes did not benefit from prescribed exposure to nature. Conclusion: Programs that provide nature exposure to enhance mental well-being and pro-environmental behavior should take into account participants’ background and baseline interactions with nature.