Developing a new tool to capture the nature dose to reduce loneliness and improve quality of life
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Recognition of the health benefits of nature contact has increased. Simultaneously, growing numbers of people worldwide experience loneliness. There is a movement towards prescribing nature-based activities to improve/promote social connections, health, and quality of life. Yet, what constitutes a therapeutic nature dose is not well understood, due in part, to the lack of instruments that capture the characteristics of nature-based activities and measure 'nature dose.' We created a nature dose measurement tool to fill this gap by capturing various aspects of contact with nature and perceptions regarding park access, quality, naturalness, psychological distance to nature, and biodiversity. This tool will facilitate greater understanding of how natural areas, nature-based activities, and nature exposure reduce loneliness and promote health-related quality of life. Measuring nature dose with standardized tools and documenting benefits will generate the evidence base needed to design, implement and evaluate nature-based social interventions for improving health and quality of life.•This tool captures the nature dose to reduce loneliness and promote quality of life.•Constructs range from park quality and access, to mood, to biodiversity perceptions.•The standardized nature dose tool will help design nature-based social interventions.
Source: MethodsX
Institutions: Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Barcelona Biomedical Research Park, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Epidemiología y Salud Pública, Universitat de Vic - Universitat Central de Catalunya, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Centre for Research on Ecology and Forestry Applications, RMIT University, The University of Melbourne, Aix-Marseille Université, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Marseille, Centre d’Etudes et de Recherche sur les Services de Santé et la Qualité de Vie
Language: English
Topic: Urban Green Space and Health
Subfield: Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $850
Funders: David and Elaine Potter Foundation, Centres de Recerca de Catalunya, Fundación Carmen y Severo Ochoa, European Commission, Ian Potter Foundation, Generalitat de Catalunya, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación, Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, Medical Research Council, Australian Research Council, National Health and Medical Research Council, Horizon 2020, Agencia Estatal de Investigación
Awards: G1175115578, G2064873908, G210041235, G2262748287, G2601397997, G2683679739, G2725551522, G3005324705, G300979063, G3423777635, G34346518, G3480869486, G3681454997, G4042783231, G425668148, G434337789, G5080475149, G5195188938, G5794462023, Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces, G6328075693, Designing green spaces for biodiversity and human well-being, G6656126374, G69051668, G7084143925, G7208110030, Re-imagining Environments for Connection and Engagement: Testing Actions for Social Prescribing in Natural Spaces, G8437971531, G8637226926
OpenAlex ID: W4402635530