Nature-based activities and the health of cancer survivors

Cancer survivorship in the United States continues to grow, with 22.5 million survivors projected by 2032. Despite improved survival rates, cancer survivors often experience persistent physical and psychological challenges. Nature-based interventions have gained attention as accessible, low-cost complementary approaches to support survivor well-being, yet limited research examines unstructured nature activities and mental health outcomes in this population. This study explored the influence of unstructured nature-based leisure activities on the mental health of 98 cancer survivors who completed self-report measures assessing stress (PSS-10), anxiety (GAD-7), fatigue, pain, sleep problems, general health, and subjective well-being, along with their engagement in 14 nature-based activities. Participants experienced moderate to elevated stress (M = 25.23) and anxiety (M = 18.12). Walking was the most commonly reported activity, followed by taking photos and observing flowers and plants. One-way ANOVA results revealed no significant differences between active and passive nature activities in their associations with mental health outcomes, suggesting that activity type may be less important than nature exposure itself. Correlation analyses showed bird watching was significantly associated with lower stress (r = -.200, p = .048) and higher flourishing (r = .240, p = .018), while observing flowers, plants, and animals correlated with flourishing (r = .220, p = .030). Unexpectedly, walking duration positively correlated with stress (r = .203, p = .045), possibly reflecting participants' elevated fatigue and fair to poor general health. Findings suggest that nature-based activities, regardless of type or intensity, may support cancer survivors' well-being.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Recreation, Sport, and Tourism

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Kotagedara Liyanage, Piyumi Madushani Perera

Contributors dc:contributor

• Payne, Laura
• Fernandez, Mariela

• Mental Health
• Cancer Survivors
• Nature Based Activities

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Piyumi Madushani Perera Kotagedara Liyanage

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132692

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/132692