Is feeling connected to nature linked to children's well-being?

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A positive association between connection to the natural environment and well-being is well established, but few studies have examined it in children. According to the researchers, none had explored whether the relationship remained after accounting for other factors affecting well-being, such as social supports, attention, and empathic skills. This study aimed to address that gap.

The researchers used data from the New South Wales Child Development Study (NSW-CDS), including a representative sample of 26,848 children who completed a self-report survey of mental health and well-being at approximately age 11.

In a multiple regression analysis adjusting for social supports, empathy, attention, socioeconomic status, and sex, connection to nature was positively but weakly associated with two indicators of well-being: self-satisfaction and prosocial behavior. Social supports had the strongest relationship with self-satisfaction, while empathy had the strongest relationship with prosocial behavior.

Based on these findings and previous research, the authors suggested that developing a connection to nature could slightly improve well-being and might complement or augment other well-being and education-based programs. They said future research should examine whether proximity to green spaces, experiences of nature, and age influence the relationship between connection to nature and well-being.