Perceived naturalness and wellbeing : Differential benefits for marginalized and privileged groups
Jazi, Everly (The University of British Columbia)
Dietsch, Alia M. (Ohio State University)
Bosch, Matilda van den (Universitat Pompeu Fabra)
Triguero-Mas, Margarita (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona. Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals)
Meitner, Michael J. (The University of British Columbia)
Atkisson, Curtis (University of Washington. Department of Anthropology)
Thomson, Annmarie (The University of British Columbia)
Park, Keunhyun (The University of British Columbia)

Fecha:	2026
Descripción:	12 pàg.
Resumen:	This quasi-experimental study investigated whether increased perceived naturalness of walking environments lead to immediate psychological wellbeing improvements, guided by a theory suggesting greater proportional benefits for marginalized groups (Mitchell & Popham, 2008). We focused on differential benefits for individuals of low socioeconomic status (SES) and people of color (POC). A sample of 475 undergraduates at a Midwestern U. S. university completed two self-directed 45-minute walks (self-rated on a 7-point scale of naturalness). Psychological wellbeing was measured pre- and post- walk using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-Being Scale (WEMWBS). Bayesian counterfactual simulations were used to estimate post-walk wellbeing across the naturalness levels with moderation by SES (Pell Grant recipient, low social class, first-generation students) and race/ethnicity. Walks perceived as highly natural (levels 6 or 7) were associated with meaningfully higher post-walk wellbeing compared to more built walks (levels 1-5). Evidence of moderation by sociodemographic variables was mixed. At low perceived naturalness (levels 1-3), Pell Grant recipients (indicating low SES and eligibility for federal funding to attend college or university) had meaningfully lower post-walk wellbeing compared to non-recipients. This gap narrowed as perceived walk naturalness increased and became non-meaningful at level 4, consistent with an equigenic pattern. No meaningful moderation was observed for the other measures of SES. For race/ethnicity, results were not consistent with equigenesis as, at the highest level of perceived naturalness, gains potentially widened disparities, with non-POC deriving meaningfully greater wellbeing benefits than POC. The findings indicate that higher perceived naturalness is associated with higher psychological wellbeing. While more natural spaces demonstrate potential to reduce certain SES disparities, the mixed results underscore that benefits are not universally equitable. This suggests that while naturalness should be prioritized, practitioners should consider inclusion, safety, and cultural relevance to promote gains across marginalized groups.
Ayudas:	Agencia Estatal de Investigación RYC2021-034215-I European Commission 101084198 Agencia Estatal de Investigación CEX2023-0001290-S Agencia Estatal de Investigación CEX2024-001506-M
Nota:	Unidad de excelencia María de Maeztu CEX2024-001506-M
Nota:	Altres ajuts: CERCA Programme/Generalitat de Catalunya
Derechos:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, i la comunicació pública de l'obra, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original. No es permet la creació d'obres derivades.
Lengua:	Anglès
Documento:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Materia:	Environmental justice ; Health-benefits ; Mental-health ; Parks ; Stress ; Inequalities ; Initiatives ; Greenspace ; Preference ; Exposure
Publicado en:	Urban forestry & urban greening, Vol. 120 (June 2026) , art. 129448, ISSN 1610-8167

DOI: 10.1016/j.ufug.2026.129448

12 p, 4.4 MB

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Documentos de investigación > Documentos de los grupos de investigación de la UAB > Centros y grupos de investigación (producción científica) > Ciencias > Institut de Ciència i Tecnologia Ambientals (ICTA)
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