Natural environments and childhood experiences promoting physical activity, examining the mediational effects of feelings about nature and social networks
Feelings about nature and social networks mediate the strength of other predictors of physical activity in natural environments.
This study investigated the relationship between natural environments and physical activity in natural environments, focusing on perception of natural environments and childhood experiences of nature, as well as possible intra- and inter-individual factors –feelings about nature and social networks – that might explain the relationship between predictor variables and physical activity.
Data for this investigation was collected through a survey of 2168 adults in Norway. Questions on the survey addressed specific physical activity behaviors, motivational factors for physical activity, and availability of natural environments close to home. All information was self-reported and all items –except age and zip code – were closed questions with multiple-choice response options. Additional information about location of natural environments was obtained from public registers. Questions regarding natural environments addressed both self-reported proximity of natural environments (i.e., distance from home) and perceived supportiveness of such environments for physical activity (i.e., the extent to which the natural environments were perceived to be a suitable place for physical activity).
Respondents to the survey were fairly well balanced in relation to age, gender, and geographical location. Not well represented in terms of national averages were groups of people with lower education, income, and level of physical activity. Most of the respondents lived in fairly “green” municipalities and 55% of them reported high levels of perceived supportiveness of natural environments for physical activity. Fifty one per cent of the respondents reported engaging in physical activity in natural environments over 60 minutes per week; twenty one per cent for more than 150 minutes per week.
Results indicated that, unlike the self-reported proximity to natural environments, perceived supportiveness of the natural environments for physical activity increased the likelihood of participating in physical activity in such environments. Frequent childhood experience in nature was also identified as an important predictor of adults’ participation in physical activity in natural environments. The effect of both of these predictors was mediated by “feelings about nature” and “social networks.” Having more positive feelings about nature (such as enjoying the experience of being in contact with nature) was associated with more time devoted to physical activities in natural environments. This effect was shown to be more important for those engaging in higher amounts of physical activity in natural environments. Companionship – or opportunities to interact with other people — also played a role in how much time respondents devoted to physical activities in natural environments. This “social network” factor was shown to be more of a motivator for respondents using natural environments for physical activities at the lower end of the 60- to 150-minute range rather than the higher end. In fact the influence of childhood experiences on later physical activity was shown to exert its influence almost completely through strengthening emotions about nature and perceived social networks for natural environment-based physical activity.
As expressed by the author, factors to consider in encouraging the use of natural environments for physical activity include environmental perceptions, positive feelings towards nature, and opportunities to share activity in nature with others.
Citation
Calogiuri, G., (2016). Natural environments and childhood experiences promoting physical activity, examining the mediational effects of feelings about nature and social networks. Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 13(4)
