THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATURE EXPOSURE AND LIFE SATISFACTION IN A SAMPLE OF WORKING-AGE LITHUANIAN RESIDENTS: THE ROLE OF NATURE CONNECTEDNESS, MINDFUL AWARENESS, AND MENTAL HEALTH

Abstract

The research objective was to identify the relationships between nature exposure and life satisfaction, where mindful awareness, nature connectedness and mental health would be employed as potential mediators. We also sought to compare the characteristics of the study variables between respondents who did not practice mindfulness and those who did, and to assess whether the application of mindfulness practices could moderate the relationships between the study variables.
Material and methods. A link to an anonymous survey form was distributed online. After giving their consent to participate in the study, respondents filled out the survey form, providing their social and demographic characteristics, assessing their access to green spaces, perceived nature connectedness, mindful awareness, psychological distress, positive experiences related to mental health, and life satisfaction. The study involved 383 participants aged 18 to 66 (mean age was 40.3 ± 12.0), 77.5% of whom were women.
Results. Study participants who practised mindfulness techniques had better mental health indicators and felt a stronger connection with nature. The results of the study revealed that connection with nature, mindful awareness, positive mental health experiences and psychological distress mediated the relationship between access to green spaces and life satisfaction. It was observed that correlations between nature exposure, nature connectedness, mindful awareness and mental health were stronger among those participants who did not practice mindfulness techniques. This suggests that these mindfulness practices act as an independent protective factor.
Conclusions. It is recommended to integrate the green spaces environments and mindfulness practices into mental health promotion programmes, encouraging their application in everyday environments, during breaks at work and in leisure time.