Associations between nature connectedness and mental health - mediating effects of coping strategies

Aim of the study: The study aimed to clarify the relationships between experienced nature connectedness (NC) and depression, anxiety and stress levels with mediating role of coping strategies. Subject or material and methods: Study group included 81 young adults (Mean = 28.02; SD 8.22) who completed questionnaires measuring nature connectedness, coping strategies, well-being, and mental illness. To verify whether the associations between connectedness to nature (measured by CNS) and mental health status (stress, anxiety and depression measured by DASS-21) are mediated by coping strategies parallel mediation analysis was employed. Following three coping strategies as mediators were tested: problem -focused coping strategy, emotion -focused coping strategy, avoidant-focused coping strategy. Results: Results showed a significant mediation of the association between nature connectedness and mental health via coping strategies. The study indicated that: 1) NC was indirectly related to stress and depression through its relationship with the problem -focused coping; 2) NC was neither directly nor indirectly associated with anxiety symptoms. Discussion: The health and wellbeing benefits of contact with nature are becoming increasingly recognized in psychology and medicine. Nevertheless, until now researchers haven't clearly recognized underlying mechanisms of nature -related mental health well-being. Presented study indicate one of the key pathways of associations. Conclusions: The findings support thesis that nature connectedness seems to be a mental health protective factor.