Mindfulness and connectedness to nature: A meta-analytic investigation
N. Schutte, J. Malouff
Personality and Individual Differences June 1, 2018 DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2018.01.034 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Meta-analysis Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,435 |
| Population | Participants across 12 samples, including students and community participants |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Key findings | Across 12 samples (2,435 individuals), trait mindfulness and connectedness to nature showed a significant positive association with a weighted effect size of r = 0.25. The association was significantly stronger in studies with older participants and with community participants rather than students, and varied significantly by the mindfulness measure used. |
Abstract
Abstract The traits of mindfulness and connectedness to nature may have a reciprocal relationship. Mindfulness, which consists of non-evaluative awareness, may allow individuals to feel more connected to nature, and connection to natural environments may help foster mindfulness. A number of studies have investigated the association between trait mindfulness and connectedness with nature. The current meta-analytic investigation consolidated the findings from these studies. Across 12 samples, which included 2435 individuals, there was a significant relationship between mindfulness and connectedness to nature, with a weighted effect size of r = 0.25. Moderator analyses indicated that studies with older participants and studies with community participants rather than students found significantly stronger associations between mindfulness and connectedness to nature. Associations between mindfulness and connectedness with nature varied significantly depending on measures of mindfulness used. These meta-analytic findings provide a foundation for (1) future intervention programs aimed at drawing on nature exposure to increase mindfulness and (2) intervention programs intended to enhance connectedness to nature through mindfulness.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meditation Programs for Psychological Stress and Well-being Diverse adult clinical populations | 2014 | Meta-analysis | n = 3,515 |
| Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction for Stress Management in Healthy People: A Review and Meta-Analysis Healthy subjects | 2009 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | |
| The psychological effects of meditation: A meta-analysis. Nonclinical groups of adult meditators | 2012 | Meta-analysis | n = 163 |
| Efficacy of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in Prevention of Depressive Relapse Adults with recurrent depression in full or partial remission | 2016 | Meta-analysis of individual patient data from randomized controlled trials | n = 1,258 |
| Mindfulness‐Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness‐Based Cognitive Therapy – a systematic review of randomized controlled trials | 2011 | Systematic review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 24
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Nature-Based Mindfulness: Effects of Moving Mindfulness Training into an Outdoor Natural Setting International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health September 2, 2019
- The Way Forward in Mindfulness and Sustainability: a Critical Review and Research Agenda Journal of Cognitive Enhancement July 2, 2020
- The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health. Health Psychology Open July 1, 2020
- Interoceptive Interaction: An Embodied Metaphor Inspired Approach to Designing for Meditation May 6, 2021
- Participation in an indigenous Amazonian-led ayahuasca retreat associated with increases in nature relatedness – a pilot study Drug Science, Policy and Law 2024
and 19 more in the library
Cites 5
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- Construct Validity of the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire in Meditating and Nonmeditating Samples Assessment February 29, 2008
- Mindfulness and Loving-Kindness Meditation Psychological Reports January 6, 2017
- Mindfulness: a systematic review of instruments to measure an emergent patient-reported outcome (PRO). Quality of Life Research March 29, 2013
- Mindfulness-based stress reduction and health benefits. A meta-analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research July 1, 2004