Developing Connectedness to Nature in Urban Outdoor Settings: A Potential Pathway Through Awe, Solitude, and Leisure

6Citations
Citations of this article
31Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Outdoor leisure experiences may represent an understudied yet effective pathway to promote connectedness to nature for urban park visitors. In contrast to outdoor recreation, this critical essay argues outdoor leisure more heavily emphasizes eudaimonic sentiments and intrinsic motivation in comparison with the goal-oriented and hedonic nature of outdoor recreation. It is further argued that two specific social psychological constructs, awe and solitude, may be especially useful in promoting leisure experiences in urban outdoor spaces. Relevant philosophical and social psychological literature is reviewed and synthesized to outline how land managers and environmental educators may facilitate experiences of awe and solitude to better promote contexts for experiencing outdoor leisure in urban parks. Specifically, reviewed literature suggests that utilizing the recreation opportunity spectrum framework and co-creative processes may be an effective path forward in better supporting urban park environments that are conducive to awe, solitude, and leisure. The review and synthesis of this research may ultimately guide environmental educators, land managers, and researchers in ways to more effectively support connectedness to nature via outdoor leisure experiences as an outcome for visitors to outdoor urban spaces.

References Powered by Scopus

Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being

26887Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

On happiness and human potentials: A review of research on hedonic and eudaimonic well-being

7138Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Transdisciplinary research in sustainability science: Practice, principles, and challenges

1960Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Cited by Powered by Scopus

Key Characteristics of Forest Therapy Trails: A Guided, Integrative Approach

13Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Familiarity with, perceptions of and attitudes toward butterflies of urban park users in megacities across East and Southeast Asia

9Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

The Many Ways of Experiencing Solitude: Personality Processes, in Context, as Predictors of Time Alone

1Citations
N/AReaders
Get full text

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

Mateer, T. J. (2022). Developing Connectedness to Nature in Urban Outdoor Settings: A Potential Pathway Through Awe, Solitude, and Leisure. Frontiers in Psychology, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.940939

Readers' Seniority

Tooltip

PhD / Post grad / Masters / Doc 10

77%

Professor / Associate Prof. 2

15%

Lecturer / Post doc 1

8%

Readers' Discipline

Tooltip

Environmental Science 4

36%

Social Sciences 3

27%

Design 2

18%

Sports and Recreations 2

18%

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free