Mind and Nature: Study on Mental Health, Nature Connectedness, Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviors and Geographical Green Cover among Indian Adults
- Title
- Mind and Nature: Study on Mental Health, Nature Connectedness, Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviors and Geographical Green Cover among Indian Adults
- Creator
- Nair N.; Pathak S.; Majumdar I.G.
- Description
- For centuries the relation between mind and nature has been represented through literature, songs and cultural traditions. However with increasing urgency of the climate crisis and the corresponding growing distance between humans and nature, we find very limited scientific work exploring their relationship, which could perhaps help re-bridge the connection between the two. A significant, yet not directly observable, and often overlooked impact of the climate crisis is its impact on mental health. This study looks at this relationship in the Indian context, through a relatively unexplored perspective, by investigating the effects of nature connectedness (NC), pro-nature conservation behaviours (ProCoB) and geographical green cover (GGC) on mental health (MH) among middle-aged adults residing in India, and the existing inter-relationships. 180 middle-aged Indian adults, selected through purposive and snowball sampling, from across 21 states and 2 Union Territories (UTs), were administered questionnaires through a Google form. Their data was collected and scored, and the GGC was calculated for each state/ UT from the India State of Forest Report 2021. Correlation and Regression analysis were conducted on the scores using SPSS. A positive and statistically significant correlation exists between the variables NC, ProCoB and MH; NC, MH and GGC; and NC and ProCoB. NC and ProCoB predict MH. Gardening also predicts MH. The findings are new and contribute to the field of Environmental Psychology. It provides a scientific basis for the often romanticized relationship between man and nature as found in literature. It has great implications for the future, such as increasing awareness and understanding, and planning interventions to improve both environment and wellbeing. 2024 selection and editorial matter, Dr. Sundeep Katevarapu, Dr. Anand Pratap Singh, Dr. Priyanka Tiwari, Ms. Akriti Varshney, Ms. Priya Lanka, Ms. Aankur Pradhan, Dr. Neeraj Panwar, Dr. Kumud Sapru Wangnue; individual chapters, the contributors.
- Source
- Health Psychology in Integrative Health Care, pp. 101-107.
- Date
- 2025-01-01
- Publisher
- Taylor and Francis
- Subject
- Geographical green cover; India; Mental health; Nature connectedness; Pro-nature conservation behaviours
- Coverage
- Nair N., Department of Psychology, CHRIST Deemed to be University, NCR, Delhi, India; Pathak S., Department of Psychology, CHRIST Deemed to be University, NCR, Delhi, India; Majumdar I.G., Department of Psychology, CHRIST Deemed to be University, NCR, Delhi, India
- Rights
- Restricted Access
- Relation
- ISBN: 978-104034422-4; 978-103298046-1
- Format
- Online
- Language
- English
- Type
- Book chapter
Collection
Citation
Nair N.; Pathak S.; Majumdar I.G., “Mind and Nature: Study on Mental Health, Nature Connectedness, Pro-Nature Conservation Behaviors and Geographical Green Cover among Indian Adults,” CHRIST (Deemed To Be University) Institutional Repository, accessed February 23, 2025, https://archives.christuniversity.in/items/show/17523.