The mechanisms of nature-based therapy on depression, anxiety, stress, and life satisfaction: examining mindfulness in a two-wave mediation model.
Minjung Kang, Yeji Yang, Hyunjin Kim, Songhie Jung, Hye-Young Jin, Kee-Hong Choi
Frontiers in Psychology 2023 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330207 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Observational cohort with two-wave autoregressive cross-lagged structural equation modeling Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 276 |
| Population | Korean adults participating in a gardening program (204 women, mean age 54.99 ± 23.25 years) |
| Intervention | Gardening program |
| Duration | 30 sessions held twice weekly for 15 weeks |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Meditation |
| Keywords | Life satisfaction Nature-based therapy Psychological mechanism Stress |
| Key findings | The gardening-based nature therapy program improved mean scores on all psychological variables measured. Mindfulness at post-intervention partially mediated the relationship between baseline depression and anxiety and post-intervention life satisfaction, but no significant indirect effect was found for the path from baseline stress to life satisfaction. The authors argue that mindfulness is a crucial component for improving mental health outcomes in nature-based therapy. |
Abstract
Nature-based therapy (NBT), which centers around engaging in activities within natural surroundings, has consistently demonstrated therapeutic benefits for mental health. While NBT highlights the potential of nature as a therapeutic resource for promoting mental health, there is limited knowledge regarding its underlying mechanisms. Two hundred seventy-six Korean participants (204 women, mean age = 54.99 ± 23.25 years) participated in a 30-session gardening program held twice weekly for 15 weeks. Structural equation modeling with a two-wave autoregressive cross-lagged model was used to investigate the mediating effects of mindfulness. NBT significantly improved the mean scores of all psychological variables. The mediation model was partially confirmed, with mindfulness at post-intervention (T2) mediating the relationship between baseline (T1) depression and anxiety and post-intervention (T2) life satisfaction. However, no significant indirect effect was observed between the path from stress (T1) to life satisfaction (T2). Mindfulness is a crucial component for improving mental health outcomes. This study underscores the need to prioritize and emphasize mindfulness practices in NBT.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Effectiveness of a meditation-based stress reduction program in the treatment of anxiety disorders Patients with generalized anxiety disorder or panic disorder with or without agoraphobia | 1992 | Observational cohort | n = 22 |
| Antidepressant effects of a single dose of ayahuasca in patients with recurrent depression: a preliminary report Patients with a depressive disorder | 2015 | Observational study | |
| Patterning of Cognitive and Somatic Processes in the Self-Regulation of Anxiety: Effects of Meditation versus Exercise Regular practitioners of physical exercise or meditation | 1978 | Retrospective study | n = 77 |
| Dynamic coupling of whole-brain neuronal and neurotransmitter systems Healthy humans | 2020 | Observational study | |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- The Applicability of Forest Therapy for Socially Isolated Young Adults: Parallel Changes in Psychological Distress and Mindfulness International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health August 19, 2026
- Effectiveness of Nature-Based Mindfulness Interventions to Improve Mental Health: A Narrative Review. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health April 24, 2026
Cites 19
- The benefits of being present: Mindfulness and its role in psychological well-being. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 2003
- Mindfulness: A proposed operational definition. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2004
- Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical Psychology Science and Practice 2003
- Conceptual and methodological issues in research on mindfulness and meditation. American Psychologist October 1, 2015
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Intervention on Psychological Well-being and Quality of Life: Is Increased Mindfulness Indeed the Mechanism? Annals of Behavioral Medicine June 1, 2008
and 14 more in the library