{"id":{"repo_id":"exeter","oai_identifier":"oai:figshare.com:article/30996277"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/exeter/oai:figshare.com:article/30996277","repository":{"repo_id":"exeter","name":"University of Exeter","base_url":"https://api.figshare.com/v2/oai"},"display":{"title":"The Effect of Awe on Depression: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies. DartmAwe: Nature and Cognitive Change","abstract":"Nature Based Interventions (NBIs) have attracted attention in recent years for their potential to meaningfully improve wellbeing and reduce symptoms of depression. Among many hypothesised mechanisms of action, is the emotion of awe. There is evidence that experiencing awe in nature is beneficial for wellbeing, and that this benefit is greater for more awe-inspiring settings. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility of designing and delivering an awe-based intervention in nature and the effects of awe-inspiring nature compared to a more ordinary natural setting. Hypotheses were that wilder nature would induce more awe than more ordinary nature, and that the wild nature would facilitate greater changes in: Depression, Rumination, Negative self-beliefs, Core beliefs, Disposition to experience awe, Wellbeing, and Connectedness to nature. An experimental design with two groups of non-clinical participants who scored between 5-15 on the PHQ-9 was used. Participants were randomly allocated to a walk in either a wild or ordinary natural setting. The intervention took between 1-2.5 hours to complete, depending on group size. Data were collected at four timepoints. Linear mixed models and mean comparisons were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data were also collected and content analysis performed for triangulation. An average recruitment rate of approximately four participants per month was achieved. A total of 48 participants were recruited, but there was a 60% attrition rate. A vast, natural view, time alone, meditation, and sensory immersion were among the themes identified as important components of the intervention. Several quantitative outcomes revealed medium-large effect sizes and significant effects were found for reductions in trait rumination and increased dispositional awe. Findings favoured the wild condition in terms of improvements on all outcomes. Some tentative support is found for wild nature’s favourability over ordinary nature with respect to outcomes measured. Effect sizes and participant reports suggest a larger, well powered trial may be warranted. An emphasis on longitudinal data is also recommended.<p></p>","abstract_html":"Nature Based Interventions (NBIs) have attracted attention in recent years for their potential to meaningfully improve wellbeing and reduce symptoms of depression. Among many hypothesised mechanisms of action, is the emotion of awe. There is evidence that experiencing awe in nature is beneficial for wellbeing, and that this benefit is greater for more awe-inspiring settings. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility of designing and delivering an awe-based intervention in nature and the effects of awe-inspiring nature compared to a more ordinary natural setting. Hypotheses were that wilder nature would induce more awe than more ordinary nature, and that the wild nature would facilitate greater changes in: Depression, Rumination, Negative self-beliefs, Core beliefs, Disposition to experience awe, Wellbeing, and Connectedness to nature. An experimental design with two groups of non-clinical participants who scored between 5-15 on the PHQ-9 was used. Participants were randomly allocated to a walk in either a wild or ordinary natural setting. The intervention took between 1-2.5 hours to complete, depending on group size. Data were collected at four timepoints. Linear mixed models and mean comparisons were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data were also collected and content analysis performed for triangulation. An average recruitment rate of approximately four participants per month was achieved. A total of 48 participants were recruited, but there was a 60% attrition rate. A vast, natural view, time alone, meditation, and sensory immersion were among the themes identified as important components of the intervention. Several quantitative outcomes revealed medium-large effect sizes and significant effects were found for reductions in trait rumination and increased dispositional awe. Findings favoured the wild condition in terms of improvements on all outcomes. Some tentative support is found for wild nature’s favourability over ordinary nature with respect to outcomes measured. Effect sizes and participant reports suggest a larger, well powered trial may be warranted. An emphasis on longitudinal data is also recommended.&lt;p&gt;&lt;/p&gt;","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Matthew Williams (21043298)"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":[],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2025,"date_issued":"2025-12-11T00:00:00Z","date_published":"2025-12-11T00:00:00Z","updated_at":"2026-07-27T19:34:56Z","subjects":["Awe","Nature","Depression","Wellbeing"],"languages":[],"rights":["All rights reserved","Embargoed"],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["10779/exe.30996277.v1"],"render_values":[{"text":"10779/exe.30996277.v1","href":null,"code":true}]}]},"links":{"outbound_url":null,"outbound_label":null,"outbound_source":null},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Matthew Williams (21043298)"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date","label":"Dc Date","values":["2025-12-11T00:00:00Z"]},{"key":"dc:relation","label":"Dc Relation","values":["https://figshare.com/articles/thesis/The_Effect_of_Awe_on_Depression_A_Systematic_Review_of_Experimental_Studies_DartmAwe_Nature_and_Cognitive_Change/30996277"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Text","Thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Awe","Nature","Depression","Wellbeing"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:rights","label":"Dc Rights","values":["All rights reserved","Embargoed"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier","label":"Identifier","values":["10779/exe.30996277.v1"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description","label":"Description","values":["Nature Based Interventions (NBIs) have attracted attention in recent years for their potential to meaningfully improve wellbeing and reduce symptoms of depression. Among many hypothesised mechanisms of action, is the emotion of awe. There is evidence that experiencing awe in nature is beneficial for wellbeing, and that this benefit is greater for more awe-inspiring settings. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility of designing and delivering an awe-based intervention in nature and the effects of awe-inspiring nature compared to a more ordinary natural setting. Hypotheses were that wilder nature would induce more awe than more ordinary nature, and that the wild nature would facilitate greater changes in: Depression, Rumination, Negative self-beliefs, Core beliefs, Disposition to experience awe, Wellbeing, and Connectedness to nature. An experimental design with two groups of non-clinical participants who scored between 5-15 on the PHQ-9 was used. Participants were randomly allocated to a walk in either a wild or ordinary natural setting. The intervention took between 1-2.5 hours to complete, depending on group size. Data were collected at four timepoints. Linear mixed models and mean comparisons were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data were also collected and content analysis performed for triangulation. An average recruitment rate of approximately four participants per month was achieved. A total of 48 participants were recruited, but there was a 60% attrition rate. A vast, natural view, time alone, meditation, and sensory immersion were among the themes identified as important components of the intervention. Several quantitative outcomes revealed medium-large effect sizes and significant effects were found for reductions in trait rumination and increased dispositional awe. Findings favoured the wild condition in terms of improvements on all outcomes. Some tentative support is found for wild nature’s favourability over ordinary nature with respect to outcomes measured. Effect sizes and participant reports suggest a larger, well powered trial may be warranted. An emphasis on longitudinal data is also recommended.<p></p>"]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["The Effect of Awe on Depression: A Systematic Review of Experimental Studies. DartmAwe: Nature and Cognitive Change"]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:creator":["Matthew Williams (21043298)"],"dc:date":["2025-12-11T00:00:00Z"],"dc:description":["Nature Based Interventions (NBIs) have attracted attention in recent years for their potential to meaningfully improve wellbeing and reduce symptoms of depression. Among many hypothesised mechanisms of action, is the emotion of awe. There is evidence that experiencing awe in nature is beneficial for wellbeing, and that this benefit is greater for more awe-inspiring settings. The present pilot study aimed to investigate the feasibility of designing and delivering an awe-based intervention in nature and the effects of awe-inspiring nature compared to a more ordinary natural setting. Hypotheses were that wilder nature would induce more awe than more ordinary nature, and that the wild nature would facilitate greater changes in: Depression, Rumination, Negative self-beliefs, Core beliefs, Disposition to experience awe, Wellbeing, and Connectedness to nature. An experimental design with two groups of non-clinical participants who scored between 5-15 on the PHQ-9 was used. Participants were randomly allocated to a walk in either a wild or ordinary natural setting. The intervention took between 1-2.5 hours to complete, depending on group size. Data were collected at four timepoints. Linear mixed models and mean comparisons were used to analyse quantitative data. Qualitative data were also collected and content analysis performed for triangulation. An average recruitment rate of approximately four participants per month was achieved. A total of 48 participants were recruited, but there was a 60% attrition rate. A vast, natural view, time alone, meditation, and sensory immersion were among the themes identified as important components of the intervention. Several quantitative outcomes revealed medium-large effect sizes and significant effects were found for reductions in trait rumination and increased dispositional awe. Findings favoured the wild condition in terms of improvements on all outcomes. Some tentative support is found for wild nature’s favourability over ordinary nature with respect to outcomes measured. Effect sizes and participant reports suggest a larger, well powered trial may be warranted. 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