Some studies suggest that after a “forest bathing” (immersion into a real forest) people feel more positive emotion, and that this change is promoted by the perception of a high restorative potential (RP) (e.g, Sonntag et al., 2014; Takayama et al., 2014). We investigated using t-test if a brief immersion into a virtual forest is enough to provide a change in people’s positive emotion (enjoyment, hope, relief, relaxation) (aim 1). Moreover, some authors (e.g., Berto et al., 2018) suggest that the feeling of connection to nature (CN) determine (partly) the ability to perceive the restorative potential of an environment. Consequently, we investigated using a structural equation modelling the effect of RP on positive emotion, considering CN, as predictor of RP (Berto et al., 2018) and of positive emotion (Mayer et al., 2009), and prior positive emotion, as controlling variable (aim 2). 150 Italian University students (19% male, mean (DS) age = 23.16 (7.47), range = 18 – 55) participated to the study. First, participants completed an emotions adjective list and a connection to nature scale. After having worn, for 5 minutes, a virtual reality headset displaying a 360-degree video making in an Italian forest, they report the RP perceived and completed again emotions adjective list.Result showed that all positive emotion increased after natural immersion (for all t-test p < .001). The perception of high PR directly promoted more positive emotion (β= .57, p < .001), even after controlling for prior affective state (model fit indices: χ(70)(2) = 141.06, p < .001; CFI = .94; RMSEA = .08; SRMR = .07). CN significantly predicted the RP (β = .33, p < .001) and showed a significant but slight indirect effect, through RP, on positive emotion (β = .19, p < .001). A brief immersion in a virtual natural environment could be enough to promote a mood improvement. This change is promoted by the perception of a high environment’s RP that, in turn, partially depend on CN. This study suggests that a brief immersion in a virtual natural environment could have therapeutic potential as experiences in a natural environment (Sonntag et al., 2014).
Can a brief immersion into a virtual natural environment change positively our mood?
E. Menardo;M. Brondino;M. Pasini
2019-01-01
Abstract
Some studies suggest that after a “forest bathing” (immersion into a real forest) people feel more positive emotion, and that this change is promoted by the perception of a high restorative potential (RP) (e.g, Sonntag et al., 2014; Takayama et al., 2014). We investigated using t-test if a brief immersion into a virtual forest is enough to provide a change in people’s positive emotion (enjoyment, hope, relief, relaxation) (aim 1). Moreover, some authors (e.g., Berto et al., 2018) suggest that the feeling of connection to nature (CN) determine (partly) the ability to perceive the restorative potential of an environment. Consequently, we investigated using a structural equation modelling the effect of RP on positive emotion, considering CN, as predictor of RP (Berto et al., 2018) and of positive emotion (Mayer et al., 2009), and prior positive emotion, as controlling variable (aim 2). 150 Italian University students (19% male, mean (DS) age = 23.16 (7.47), range = 18 – 55) participated to the study. First, participants completed an emotions adjective list and a connection to nature scale. After having worn, for 5 minutes, a virtual reality headset displaying a 360-degree video making in an Italian forest, they report the RP perceived and completed again emotions adjective list.Result showed that all positive emotion increased after natural immersion (for all t-test p < .001). The perception of high PR directly promoted more positive emotion (β= .57, p < .001), even after controlling for prior affective state (model fit indices: χ(70)(2) = 141.06, p < .001; CFI = .94; RMSEA = .08; SRMR = .07). CN significantly predicted the RP (β = .33, p < .001) and showed a significant but slight indirect effect, through RP, on positive emotion (β = .19, p < .001). A brief immersion in a virtual natural environment could be enough to promote a mood improvement. This change is promoted by the perception of a high environment’s RP that, in turn, partially depend on CN. This study suggests that a brief immersion in a virtual natural environment could have therapeutic potential as experiences in a natural environment (Sonntag et al., 2014).
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