Understanding Biophilia Leisure as Facilitating Well-Being and the Environment: An Examination of Participants’ Attitudes Toward Horticultural Activity

Abstract

Biophilia is humans’ inherited psychological tendency to be attracted to other forms of life and the natural environment. The main purpose of this study was to identify the attributes of horticultural activity as a form of biophilia leisure, which is based on humans’ biophilic tendency to affiliate with life and nature. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to examine the multidimensional structure of horticultural attitudes in understanding biophilia leisure. The results identified a second-order factor structure with four dimensions of horticultural attitudes: leisure belief, increasing positive mood, improving social relationships, and improving the environment. This result suggests a persuasive framework for biophilia leisure, which is beneficial not only for human well-being, but also for preserving the natural environment.

Keywords:

• biophilia hypothesis
• confirmatory factor analysis
• health
• leisure attitude