Solitary outdoor activities, reinforced by environmental socialization, may best promote connectedness to natureDefinitions of connection to nature (CTN) generally include both affinity for and comfort in nature. Affinity focuses on positive, affective emotions toward nature, such as love, care, and awe. Comfort in nature generally relates to safety concerns (physical and emotional), knowledge of nature, and physical comfort. This study was based on the understanding that spending time in nature can promote CTN, but addresses the question of what types of activities in nature are most predictive of CTN in youth.
The study focused on two broad types of activities in nature: solitary and social. It also evaluated the relative predictive power of specific recreational activities and diverse backgrounds of youth. Over 1000 youth (age 9-12) completed online surveys which included (1) a CTN measure, (2) items addressing frequency of specific outdoor activities (camping, fishing, hunting, hiking, playing sports), and (3) items addressing frequency of spending time outside with family, outside in a group, and outside alone. The survey also collected demographic information of the participating youth, including ethnicity, gender, and age.
Results showed wide variations in CTN and frequency of outdoor activities. “Playing outside” was the most frequent type of outdoor activity; “hunting” the least frequent. Solitary time in nature was the most important predictor of high CTN, with hunting and fishing (both considered solitary) the most important activities predicting high CTN. Overall, youth who spent more time in nature tended to have higher CTN scores than youth who spent less time in nature. Additionally, youth who spent outside time alone in nature weekly were almost 35% more likely to have high CTN than those spending time outside alone less frequently. Social time in nature appeared to be a secondary component of high CTN.
Demographic variables (age, gender, and ethnicity) seemed to have no direct influence on CTN. Previous research, however, indicates that certain variables may play an indirect role in CTN, as they are linked to low exposure to consistent and varied outdoor activities. This research suggests “that for elementary children, certain outdoor activities are more important than others for developing CTN.” The results also suggest that providing opportunities for solitary outdoor activities reinforced by nature-related socialization activities may be effective in promoting CTN for all youth. “While multiple contextual and cultural factors are at play, if youth are given the same opportunities to recreate outdoors both in social and secluded settings, then, they may develop similar levels of CTN.”
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