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The Impact of Nature Exposure on Body Image and Happiness: An Experience Sampling Study

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posted on 2023-08-30, 17:29 authored by Stefan Stieger, Isabel Aichinger, Viren Swami
Exposure to nature is associated with improved psychological well-being and positive body image. Here, we examined whether everyday exposure to natural environments is associated with state body image outcomes (and, for comparative reasons, state happiness) using an experience sampling method. One-hundred-and-seven participants completed a 30-day experience sampling phase in which they reported their state body image (body weight, body shape, and physical appearance satisfaction), state happiness, and features of the surrounding environment (total = 6,025 responses) at three random time-points each day. Results indicated that being outdoors was associated with significantly higher state body image on all three indicators, but effect sizes were lower compared to effects on state happiness. Specific environment type was also important, with blue-spaces and wood- and grasslands, respectively, having stronger effects than other environments. These results provide evidence that everyday exposure to natural environments is associated with more positive state body image and greater happiness.

History

Refereed

  • Yes

Volume

32

Issue number

4

Page range

870-884

Publication title

International Journal of Environmental Health Research

ISSN

1369-1619

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

File version

  • Accepted version

Language

  • eng

Legacy posted date

2020-07-29

Legacy creation date

2020-07-29

Legacy Faculty/School/Department

Faculty of Science & Engineering

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