Nature Relatedness May Play a Protective Role and Contribute to Eco-Distress

Crystal Smith; Andrew Allen; Vikki Schaffer; Lee Kannis-Dymand

doi:10.1089/eco.2023.0004

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Nature Relatedness May Play a Protective Role and Contribute to Eco-Distress

Journal article

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Nature Relatedness May Play a Protective Role and Contribute to Eco-Distress

Crystal Smith, Andrew Allen, Vikki Schaffer and Lee Kannis-Dymand

Ecopsychology, Vol.16(1), pp.71-82

2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/eco.2023.0004

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Abstract

eco-distress

nature relatedness

Solastalgia

connectedness to nature

climate change

Climate change and environmental degradation are critical health challenges facing society, with eco-distress increasingly and more widely reported. Previous research indicates that nature relatedness (NR) may be implicated in eco-distress. The current cross-sectional, online study expands research on eco-distress. It was hypothesized that different types of NR would lead to different manifestations of eco-distress. Participants (N = 415) completed measures of NR (nature relatedness scale, pro-environmental self-identity scale, and connectedness to nature scale) and measures of eco-distress (climate change anxiety scale, solastalgia subscale of the environmental distress scale, and climate change worry scale). Results indicated that NR-perspective, pro-environmental self-identity, and connectedness to nature may influence the occurrence of eco-distress, whereas NR-self may be protective against eco-distress. Solastalgia accounted for 29% of the variance in eco-distress, suggesting that solastalgia, not climate change anxiety was the dominant emotional response implicated in eco-distress for those with high NR. Further research is required to develop robust measures of eco-distress and determine the reciprocal nature of eco-distress to environmental degradation and the bearing this has on individual, community, and global actions to advance nature and human wellbeing.

Details

Title: Nature Relatedness May Play a Protective Role and Contribute to Eco-Distress
Authors: Crystal Smith (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Andrew Allen (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
Vikki Schaffer (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Business and Creative Industries
Lee Kannis-Dymand (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
Publication details: Ecopsychology, Vol.16(1), pp.71-82
Publisher: Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
Date published: 2024
DOI: 10.1089/eco.2023.0004
ISSN: 1942-9347
Organisation Unit: School of Business and Creative Industries; Australian Centre for Pacific Islands Research; School of Health - Psychology; Sexual Violence Research and Prevention Unit; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy; Sustainability Research Cluster
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99966897902621
Output Type: Journal article

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