Gender Differences in Connection to Nature, Outdoor Preferences, and Nature-Based Recreation Among College Students in Brazil and the United States

Abstract

Nature-based recreation (NBR) can enhance human health and promote conservation. As a result, there is a growing interest in the drivers of NBR. In two separate surveys of college students in Brazil (N = 224) and the United States (N = 207), we found that young adults with stronger connection to nature (CN) have a greater preference for outdoor environments to recreate and that these preferences are associated with more frequent participation in NBR. Fostering connection to nature could therefore alter recreation preferences and enhance NBR. We also discovered gender differences in CN, recreation setting preferences and NBR participation. While women were more connected to nature and tended to prefer outdoor environments to recreate, they were less likely than men to engage in NBR. These relationships were consistent across both countries, raising concerns about gender equity in the outdoors that transcend geographical and cultural contexts.

Keywords:

• contact with nature
• experiences in nature
• leisure
• green exercise
• nature exposure

Conflict of interest

The authors declare they have no conflict of interest.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful for the suggestions of the two anonymous reviewers and those of the Associate Editor. This study was made possible by a scholarship from Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado da Bahia to CR (Grant number BOL085/2016). This manuscript was partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Education and Universities (PGC2018-095502-B-I00).