Nature and stress, mood, pro-social behaviours, and restoration Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
The intervention context is an office environment at the university. A short screening measure was used during initial contact with participants, including screening for known cardiovascular illnesses
Sponsors
Dalhousie University
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Current student at the university
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: Participants are ineligible to participate if: 1. They have a known cardiovascular illness (as it may conflict with heart rate measurement) 2. They have an allergic reaction to organic-based scents 3. They have consumed caffeine at least an hour prior to arrival to the study location
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| There are three main outcome measures measured across five possible timepoints (T1-T5): 1. Heart Rate Variability: HRV will be recorded throughout the experiment using the EquivitalTnR, an electrocardiogram monitor, which will be attached to the participant’s chest and will store the data of the R-R interval. The accompanying software will be used to analyze the data using the entropy methods. Measured from T1 through to R5 continuously. 2. Mood: The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is a 20-item measure designed to evaluate both positive (PA) and negative affect (NA). The measure uses a 5-point Likert-type scale, ranging from 1 = very slightly or not at all, to 5 = extremely. Example items include “inspired” for a positive item, and “scared” as a negative item. The 20 items are divided into two subscales (PA and NA), each comprised of ten items. Measured at T2 and T4. 3. Perceived Restorativeness: The Perceived Restorativeness Scale (PRS) consists of 29 items to measure the five restorative properties of attention restoration (ART) between environments. The PRS is a reliable instrument and has been validated in a variety of populations, most often undergraduate students. A short-form of the PRS was developed by Berto (2005), and consists of five statements corresponding to the five ART components. Each statement is rated on an 11-point Likert scale (from 0 = not at all to 10 = completely). Measured at T4. 4. Prosocial Behaviour: To measure pro-social behaviour, students will be asked if they would like to donate the $5 participation compensation to a charity rather than receive the compensation. Participants will be asked at the end of their post-exposure survey. Measured at T5. T1: Exposure to condition* and initial questionnaires (Time 0:00 to 10:00) T2: Exposure to condition no task (Time 10:00 to 15:00) T3: Exposure to condition with fil | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Nature connectedness assessed using the Short Form Version of the Nature Relatedness Scale (NR-6). This project will investigate the potential confounding impact of nature connectedness, sex, and age, rather than the casual or mediating impact. The NR-6 is a 6-item Likert-type instrument that measures how an individual views their relationship with the natural world (Nisbet & Zelenski, 2013). The Likert scales ranges from 1 = disagree strongly to 5 = agree strongly. Sample items include “My ideal vacation spot would be a remote, wilderness area”, “My relationship to nature is an important part of who I am”. Measured at T1. 2. Participant demographic information will be recorded to describe the sample and test for potential confounding variables. This information will include: sex, age, and existing health conditions that may impact the current study. Participants will also be asked if there are any notable stressors in their life at the moment, such as increased stress from exams, interpersonal conflicts, or upcoming deadlines. Measured at T1. | — |
Countries
Canada
Outcome results
None listed