Investigating how mindfulness promotes the restorative effects of nature exposure in virtual reality

Over the last century, the number of people living in urban areas has been increasing and the general health and happiness of the public has been decreasing (Emfield & Neider, 2014). As more people move into urban environments, the negative consequences of reduced connection with nature are becoming more apparent. One promising way to reverse this trend is by reconnecting humans with the natural world. Natural environments have been shown to exert beneficial influences on mental health; however, to effectively develop therapeutic interventions, there is a strong need to understand the mechanisms of action by which natural environments support positive mental health outcomes. This thesis investigated potential mechanisms of action for therapeutic nature exposure as well as the preliminary efficacy of nature exposure therapy in virtual reality. Research subjects completed a survey measure assessing previous visits to nature and self-reported mental health symptoms. They subsequently completed an in situ experimental session in which they received one of three treatments (real nature, virtual nature or no nature) and then completed a laboratory stress task. Levels of mindfulness during the stressor and changes in self-reported levels of state positive and negative affect before and after the stressor were assessed. Results showed nature visitation indirectly correlated with psychopathology and emotional responses to nature. Additionally, mindfulness covaried with nature treatment type (real nature or virtual nature) for positive affect. These results elucidate the relationship between nature and mental health and demonstrate the potential for virtual restorative environments to be used in the treatment of mental health disorders.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Natural Res & Env Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2018

Author dc:creator

• Mimnaugh, Katherine J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• van Riper, Carena
• Browning, Matthew
• Laurent, Heidemarie
• LaValle, Steven

• Virtual reality
• virtual restorative environments
• virtual restorative environment therapy
• mindfulness
• mental health
• nature
• natural environments
• affect
• emotion

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2018 Katherine J. Mimnaugh

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/101079

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/101079