Enhancing nature conservation and health: Changing the focus to active pro-environmental behaviours

Most research about the promotion of pro-environmental behaviours has focused on actions conducted at home (e.g. energy saving). While acknowledging their relevance, the effect of such behaviours on the mitigation of two of the most relevant global environmental problems (climate change and biodiversity loss) is relatively small. We present a literature review with two main objectives. First is to introduce the concept of active pro-environmental behaviours. These are a combination of outdoor physical activities and pro-environmental behaviours. The latter involve behaviours that have a minimum impact on the environment, or even have positive consequences for the environment. Active commuting and tree planting are examples of active pro-environmental behaviours. The second objective is to discuss the relevance of active pro-environmental behaviours for people’s health and sustainability and, thereby, to encourage more research and efforts towards the promotion of these behaviours. We conclude by suggesting how stakeholders can promote active pro-environmental behaviours

The utility and limitations of the New Ecological Paradigm scale for children

The New Ecological Paradigm (NEP) scale adapted for use with children (NEP-C) is one of the most frequently used measures of children’s environmental beliefs. Though widely utilized, the limitations of the NEP-C instrument are often overlooked. Based on a systematic synthesis of existing literature examining the NEP-C, we argue that the scale assesses specific types of beliefs within the larger NEP, that some children have difficulty comprehending items of this scale, and that the one-factor and three-factor models proposed in the original NEP-C did not achieve an exact fit to empirical data. Additionally, the relevance of the NEP-C total score as a predictor of children’s pro-environmental behaviors is questionable. Although the NEP-C is useful for measuring specific types of environmental beliefs, many researchers using this scale may be interested in broader constructs. We highlight potential benefits and drawbacks of using the NEP-C and discuss new directions for environmental education research

Governor Patrick Announces Investments to Create Growth and Opportunity in Brockton

<p>This cross-sectional study aims to improve our understanding of the psychological pathways behind the commonly reported link between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism. Particularly, we explore whether nature experiences lead to self-reported pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and whether this relation is mediated by connectedness to nature. Additionally, we examine the possible lasting effect of childhood experiences with nature on adults’ PEB. Most studies reporting on the link between contact with nature and pro-environmentalism have been conducted in developed countries, limiting the generalization of the results. To address this gap in the literature, the current study was conducted in a developing country (Brazil) with a sample of 224 young adults. According to our findings, greater contact with nature during childhood is associated with greater contact with nature as an adult, which, in turn, is positively associated with connectedness to nature and PEB. The stimulation of pleasant experiences while in direct contact with nature during childhood seems to trigger interactions with nature in adulthood and consequently, adults embrace pro-environmental actions.</p

Four challenges for measurement in environmental psychology, and how to address them

Stress and Psychopatholog

Experiences in Nature and Environmental Attitudes and Behaviors: Setting the Ground for Future Research

There is empirical evidence suggesting a positive link between direct experiences in nature and people’s environmental attitudes (EA) and behaviors (EB). This has led researchers to encourage more frequent contact with nature, especially during childhood, as a way of increasing pro-environmentalism (i.e., pro-EA and pro-EB). However, the association between experiences in nature and EA/EB is complex, and specific guidelines for people’s everyday contact with nature cannot be provided. This article offers an overview of the research conducted until know about the relation between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism, and opens up new inquiries for future research. We begin with an introduction to people’s current tendency toward an alienation from the natural world and set out the objectives of the article. It is followed by three main sections. The first one reports on what experiences in nature refer to, how and where they occur. The second section describes the different approaches used to investigate and interpret the experiences in nature-EA and EB relation. The last section provides suggestions for future research. We close by making some final remarks about the importance of (re)stablishing a greater interaction with nature for people’s pro-EA and EB

Forest therapy can prevent and treat depression: Evidence from meta-analyses

Forest therapy involves engaging in a combination of forest-based activities to improve one’s health or wellbeing. We conducted an overview of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses of primary studies to provide the most comprehensive summary of the effect of forest therapy on depression. We included 13 primary studies that matched our eligibility criteria - all were included in four recent SRs and were conducted in the Republic of Korea. We carried out meta-analyses with data extracted directly from these 13 studies and assessed their risk of bias. Outcomes of interest were depressive symptoms, temporary recovery from depression (i.e. remission), response to treatment (i.e. ≥ 50 % reduction on depressive symptoms from baseline), adherence to treatment, and adverse effects. Considering pooled estimates from randomized controlled trials with adults, we found that compared to no intervention/usual care, forest therapy produced a greater reduction of depressive symptoms (Hedges’g = 1.18, 95 % CI [0.86, 1.50], p < .00001). Also compared to no intervention/usual care, participants in the forest therapy group were 17 times as likely to achieve remission (Risk Ratio = 17.02, 95 % CI [3.40, 85.21], p = .0006) and three times as likely to have a ≥ 50 % reduction on depressive symptoms (Risk Ratio = 3.18, 95 % CI [1.94, 5.21], p < .00001). Forest therapy, on average, reduced depressive symptoms more than engaging in similar activities in a hospital or non-forested urban area, or participating in an intervention focused on diet plus forest-based exercise. We did not find evidence that adherence to forest therapy is different from the adherence to alternative interventions and the adverse effects of forest therapy appear to be rare. These results indicate that, relative to many more conventional alternatives, forest therapy is a more effective short-term intervention for the prevention and treatment of depression in adults

The Effect of Nature-Based Adventure Interventions on Depression: A Systematic Review

We conducted a systematic review to synthesize evidence of the effect of nature-based adventure (NBA) interventions on depressive symptoms. Our search was conducted in April 2021 and utilized the following databases: MEDLINE (PubMed), PsycINFO, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL, Google Scholar, and Clinicaltrials.gov. Forty-two studies ( n = 2,689 participants) with different designs, published between 1979 and 2021, were included. Collectively, results suggest highly variable effects of NBA interventions on depressive symptoms, ranging from reductions in mean depression scores of up to 64% to increases in means scores of up to 18%. Patient adherence to interventions was also variable, and serious adverse events (e.g., leg fractures) did occur. Despite variability across studies, research generally showed that mountain-based and surfing interventions, coupled with other forms of care, may substantially reduce adults’ depressive symptoms more than usual care alone or no intervention, highlighting the potential benefits of some NBA activities for individuals experiencing depressive symptoms

Nature Experiences and Adults’ Self-Reported Pro-environmental Behaviors: The Role of Connectedness to Nature and Childhood Nature Experiences

This cross-sectional study aims to improve our understanding of the psychological pathways behind the commonly reported link between experiences in nature and pro-environmentalism. Particularly, we explore whether nature experiences lead to self-reported pro-environmental behaviors (PEBs) and whether this relation is mediated by connectedness to nature. Additionally, we examine the possible lasting effect of childhood experiences with nature on adults’ PEB. Most studies reporting on the link between contact with nature and pro-environmentalism have been conducted in developed countries, limiting the generalization of the results. To address this gap in the literature, the current study was conducted in a developing country (Brazil) with a sample of 224 young adults. According to our findings, greater contact with nature during childhood is associated with greater contact with nature as an adult, which, in turn, is positively associated with connectedness to nature and PEB. The stimulation of pleasant experiences while in direct contact with nature during childhood seems to trigger interactions with nature in adulthood and consequently, adults embrace pro-environmental actions

The effects of nature-based interventions on individuals’ environmental behaviors: protocol for a systematic review of controlled trials

BackgroundThe paper presents the rationale and methods of the planned systematic review to understand the effects of nature-based interventions on individuals’ environmental behaviors. There is ample evidence that experiences in nature not only enhance human well-being but also help promote people’s pro-environmentalism. Nevertheless, synthesized evidence regarding the effects of nature-based interventions on individuals’ environmental behaviors is lacking.MethodsThis protocol follows the Preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis protocols (PRISMA-P) guidelines. The planned literature search will be conducted by using APA PsycInfo, APA PsyArticles, PubMed, ERIC, Education Source, GreenFILE, OpenDissertations, Scopus, and WEB of Science. In the protocol, we present search strategies for each specific database. Data items that we will seek to obtain from the selected publications are described in detail and cover general information about included studies, information about studies’ methodology and participants, outcomes of the studies, and nature-based and comparative interventions. The outcomes will be behavioral, including aggregated and specific types of environmental behaviors, as well as reported and observed behaviors. Furthermore, the protocol provides a description of the prospective assessment of the risk of bias in both randomized and non-randomized studies. If studies appear sufficiently homogeneous, we will conduct a meta-analysis using the inverse-variance method. Details of the data synthesis are likewise provided in the paper.ResultsDissemination of the results of the planned review will be carried out via a peer-reviewed open-access journal publication.ImplicationsGiven the great need to address current environmental issues, understanding what encourages people to act pro-environmentally is critical. It is expected that the findings of the planned review will provide valuable insights for researchers, educators, and policymakers who are involved in understanding and promoting human environmental behaviors

O modelo de gestão esportiva da província de Barcelona a partir da ótica dos gestores esportivos municipais

Relevance: Sports management (SM) is essential for the provision of sports and leisure activities. The province of Barcelona is a world reference in SM but little is known about its municipal management service. Objectives of the study: In the present study, we characterize the sports service of municipalities in the province of Barcelona based on the perspective of sports managers. Methodology: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 15 sports managers from different municipalities in the province of Barcelona and their content was analyzed based on Bardin (2009). Main results: The sports managers explained that the sports service takes place through interactions between the Provincial Council of Barcelona, sports entities and the Generalitat de Catalunya (General Secretariat of sport). There is no standard in the configuration of the organizational structures adopted by the municipalities for the provision of sports services and the most common management models are direct, mixed and indirect, respectively. The selection of people to work in the sports service usually occurs through public tenders and there are education and training actions. There are programs and projects with the objective of increasing participation in physical activities with women being the target audience. Theoretical contributions: We identified possible paths for advances.Relevancia: La gestión deportiva (GD) es esencial para la amplia oferta de actividades deportivas y de ocio de calidad. La provincia de Barcelona es una referencia mundial en cuanto a la GD, pero todavía se sabe poco acerca de su servicio de gestión municipal. Objetivo del estudio: En el presente estudio, caracterizamos el servicio deportivo de los municipios de la provincia de Barcelona desde la óptica de los gestores deportivos. Metodología: Se realizaron entrevistas semiestructuradas con 15 gestores deportivos de diferentes municipios de la provincia de Barcelona y se analizó su contenido basándose en Bardin (2009).Resultados clave: Los gestores deportivos explicaron que el servicio de deportes ocurre a través de interacciones entre la Diputación de Barcelona, las entidades deportivas y la Generalitat de Cataluña (Secretaria General de Deportes). No existe un patrón en la configuración de las estructuras organizativas adoptadas por los Ayuntamientos para prestar los servicios deportivos y los modelos de gestión más comunes son el directo, mixto e indirecto, respectivamente. La selección de personas para trabajar en el servicio deportivo comúnmente ocurre por medio de concursos públicos y se hacen esfuerzos para la formación y capacitación.  Hay programas y proyectos con la finalidad  de ampliar la participación en actividades físicas siendo las mujeres públicos objetivos.Contribuciones teóricas: Se identificaron posibles caminos para progresos.Relevância: A gestão esportiva (GE) é essencial para a ampla oferta de atividades esportivas e de lazer. A província de Barcelona é uma referência mundial em GE mas pouco se sabe sobre o seu serviço de gestão municipal. Objetivo do estudo: No presente estudo, caracterizamos o serviço esportivo dos municípios da província de Barcelona com base na perspectiva dos gestores esportivos. Metodologia: Foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com 15 gestores esportivos de diferentes municípios da província de Barcelona e o seu conteúdo foi analisado com base em Bardin (2009). Resultados principais: Os dirigentes esportivos explicaram que o serviço esportivo se dá através de interações entre o Conselho Provincial de Barcelona, as entidades esportivas e a Generalitat da Catalunha (Secretaria Geral de esporte). Não existe um padrão na configuração das estruturas organizacionais adotadas pelos municípios para a prestação de serviços esportivos e os modelos de gestão mais comuns são direta, mista e indireta, respetivamente. A seleção de pessoas para trabalhar no serviço esportivo comumente ocorre por meio de concursos públicos e há ações de educação e treinamento. Existem programas e projetos com o objetivo de ampliar a participação em atividades físicas sendo as mulheres o público-alvo. Contribuições teóricas: Identificamos possíveis caminhos para avanços