Nature-based recreation associated with connectedness to nature and leisure satisfaction among students in Brazil

ABSTRACT

There is growing evidence that nature-based recreation (NBR) during childhood promotes connectedness to nature, which in turn fuels NBR during adulthood. In addition to providing a number of health benefits, NBR participation may enhance leisure satisfaction, an important predictor of happiness and life satisfaction. In this exploratory study, we tested these hypothesised links using a path model with a cross-sectional sample of 224 Brazilian college students, where NBR participation during childhood increases connectedness to nature and NBR participation during adulthood, which in turn promotes leisure satisfaction. The model fit the data well χ² (2) = 1.924, χ²/df = 0.962 (N = 220, p = .38), CFI = 1.00, AGFI = .978, GFI = .996, and RMSEA = .00, with results showing an indirect positive link between NBR during childhood and leisure satisfaction, and a direct link between NBR during adulthood and leisure satisfaction. The indirect effect of connectedness to nature on leisure satisfaction was also significant: NBR during childhood fostered connectedness to nature, which motivated NBR during adulthood and higher levels of leisure satisfaction. Leisure practitioners can improve people’s leisure satisfaction by promoting engagement in NBR activities across life stages and emphasising connection to nature.

KEYWORDS:

• Contact with nature
• experiences of nature
• human-nature connections
• nature
• outdoor recreation

Acknowledgements

We thank the careful comments of the two reviewers and those of the editor.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Education and Universities [PGC2018-095502-B-I00] and FUAG [2018/B008].

Notes on contributors

Claudio D. Rosa

Claudio D. Rosa completed his master degree on Regional Development and Environment at the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz where he studied the relation between nature-based recreation and environmental attitudes. He is a physical education professional with a primary interest on the drivers and benefits of participation in nature-based recreational activities.

Silvia Collado

Silvia Collado is an assistant professor at the Department of Psychology and Sociology of Universidad de Zaragoza, Spain. She is interested in the study of the restorative effects of natural and built environments, environmental preferences, and the factors shaping the development and change of environmental behaviors

Christiana Cabicieri Profice

Christiana Cabicieri Profice has a Ph.D. in Psychology and is a professor of the Department of Philosophy and Human Sciences at the Universidade Estadual of Santa Cruz, Ilhéus, Bahia. She is also a professor of the Postgraduate Program in Regional Development and Environment at the same university. She researches the child-nature interaction and educational practices that promote biophilia and develops projects that aim to strengthen environmental education in conservation units of the Atlantic Forest.

Lincoln R. Larson

Lincoln R. Larson, Ph.D., is an assistant professor in the Department of Parks, Recreation, & Tourism Management within the College of Natural Resources at North Carolina State University. His research explores connections between outdoor recreation, environmental education, and pro-environmental behaviour, including the influence of nature on positive youth development.