A recent study in Austria shows that people who spent a long time in childhood in blue and green spaces (near water or parks and forests) are more connected to nature as adults and develop “pro-environment” behaviors.
Child in the middle of nature. Photo: The truth
Research published by the Journal of Environmental Psychology provides new insights into how a childhood spent in nature influences people’s behavior towards the environment.
Childhood near water and forests develops attachment to nature
The study, carried out in Austria, shows that people who spent their childhood in “blue spaces”, near rivers, lakes or the sea, or in “green spaces”, close to forests, hills and parks, are more involved in protecting ecosystems, recycling , reducing pollution and preserving natural landscapes.
“The study led by Patricia Stehl and colleagues sought to investigate what factors influence whether people engage in these pro-environmental behaviors. The researchers observed that childhood exposure to blue spaces could foster a deeper emotional connection with nature, which could then encourage environmentally responsible behaviors in adulthood.” reports psypost.com, a publication dedicated to the latest discoveries in psychology and neuroscience.
Proximity to water favors pro-environmental behavior. Photo: Daniel Guță. TRUTH
To explore this, the researchers collected data from 2,370 Austrian adults aged 18 to 89, men and women. Participants were invited to describe different aspects of their behavior towards the environment. These included pro-environmental actions, memories of childhood exposure to blue space, frequency of recent visits to blue and green spaces, and their feelings of connection with nature, which were measured.
“The results showed that participants who recalled frequent visits to blue spaces during childhood reported stronger feelings of connection with nature and more frequent visits to nature in adulthood. These feelings of connection to nature, in turn, were associated with a greater likelihood of engaging in pro-environmental behaviors.”shows research published by the Journal of Environmental Psychology.
The researchers tested a statistical model that proposed a causal relationship: childhood exposure to blue spaces strengthens connection with nature in adulthood, which then leads to more visits to natural landscapes, ultimately leading to more pro- environment.
Women, more interested in protecting the environment
The results supported this model, indicating that a pathway from childhood exposure to blue spaces to adult environmentalism is possible. According to the study, women reported more pro-environmental behaviors than men, although men reported more frequent visits to green spaces.
Also, the unemployed exhibited stronger pro-environmental behaviors than the employed, although employed and retired people reported stronger feelings of connection to nature. Participants from higher income households spent more time in nature compared to those from lower income households.
“Increasing detachment from the natural world can hinder the development of connection with nature and pro-environmental behavior. We provide evidence for a positive relationship between (recalled) childhood blue space exposure and pro-environmental behavior in adults, which can be partially explained by adults’ nature connectedness and recent nature visits. These relationships were found in a large heterogeneous sample of landlocked Austria, highlighting the importance of inland blue spaces compared to the more commonly studied coastal ones”concluded the authors of the study, named “From Childhood Bluespace Exposure to Adult Environment: The Role of Nature Connection and Nature Contact”.
The study sheds light on links between childhood visits to blue spaces and pro-environmental behaviors in adulthood, but the reported associations were only detectable due to the large sample size, the research authors say.
Studies show other benefits of getting out in nature
In addition to pro-environmental behaviors, childhood spent in the middle of nature, whether it is near water or in green areas, offers several benefits, according to the results of other research conducted in recent years.
According to nature.org, nature offers numerous lifelong benefits in terms of physical health, mental health, and academic competence. A healthy exposure to vitamin D promotes bone health and helps minimize problems related to diabetes and heart disease. Even playing with mud has been shown to reduce anxiety and stress levels in children.
“Introducing children to different natural environments can help them think beyond their immediate surroundings and build well-rounded perspectives. Nature-based learning and education improves a child’s academic performance and critical thinking. When children don’t go outdoors, they miss out on valuable experiences that can enrich their physical, cognitive and mental development.” informs nature.org,
A 2018 UK study cited by the same publication found that children now spend about four hours outside a week, about 50 percent less than their parents did when they were children.
