Renate Cervinka

Are nature lovers happy? On various indicators of well-being and connectedness with nature

Connectedness with nature (CN) is seen as a personal disposition relevant for environmental as well as human health. In five questionnaire studies (N = 547) we systematically investigated the relationship between various operationalizations of well-being and CN. CN was assessed with two different tools in parallel. All significant correlations were controlled for the effects of age and gender. Psychological well-being, meaningfulness and vitality were found to be robustly correlated with CN. We highlight the relevance of CN with respect to human health and further discuss conceptual differences unraveled by the concurrent application of two CN-tools.

Green perspectives for public health: a narrative review on the physiological effects of experiencing outdoor nature.

Natural environments offer a high potential for human well-being, restoration and stress recovery in terms of allostatic load. A growing body of literature is investigating psychological and physiological health benefits of contact with Nature. So far, a synthesis of physiological health outcomes of direct outdoor nature experiences and its potential for improving Public Health is missing. We were interested in summarizing the outcomes of studies that investigated physiological outcomes of experiencing Nature measuring at least one physiological parameter during the last two decades. Studies on effects of indoor or simulated Nature exposure via videos or photos, animal contact, and wood as building material were excluded from further analysis. As an online literature research delivered heterogeneous data inappropriate for quantitative synthesis approaches, we descriptively summarized and narratively synthesized studies. The procedure started with 1,187 titles. Research articles in English language published in international peer-reviewed journals that investigated the effects of natural outdoor environments on humans by were included. We identified 17 relevant articles reporting on effects of Nature by measuring 20 different physiological parameters. We assigned these parameters to one of the four body systems brain activity, cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and immune function. These studies reported mainly direct and positive effects, however, our analyses revealed heterogeneous outcomes regarding significance of results. Most of the studies were conducted in Japan, based on quite small samples, predominantly with male students as participants in a cross-sectional design. In general, our narrative review provided an ambiguous illustration of the effects outdoor nature exerted on physiological parameters. However, the majority of studies reported significant positive effects. A harmonizing effect of Nature, especially on physiological stress reactions, was found across all body systems. From a Public Health perspective, interdisciplinary work on utilizing benefits of Nature regarding health promotion, disease prevention, and nature-based therapy should be optimized in order to eventually diminish given methodological limitations from mono-disciplinary studies.

Connectedness to nature and public (skin) health perspectives: results of a representative, population-based survey among Austrian residents.

Connectedness to nature (CN) influences motivation to have contact with outdoor natural environments. Spending leisure time in natural environments is beneficial for human health and well-being. Besides these positive effects, health risks of open-air activities are mainly related to unprotected sun light exposure-associated acute and chronic skin hazards. Thus, we conducted a cross-sectional, representative telephone survey among Austrian residents to study the association of perceived CN level with sun-exposure knowledge, tanning habits, and sun protective behaviour. In total, 1,500 study subjects (50.5% females) participated in this questionnaire survey. Although knowledge about tanning and motives to tan were similar among genders, females performed more photoprotective measures and were more connected to nature (all p < 0.001) compared to males. Older age and outdoor sport were significant gender-independent predictor variables influencing perceived CN level. Additionally, level of education was relevant in male CN, whereas non-smoking and higher knowledge were predictive of female CN. This survey provides so far unreported empirical data on the relationship between nature connectedness and skin health-relevant recreational habits of Austrian residents. The findings suggest to integrate hitherto neglected gender-specific Public (Skin) Health promotion when counselling on the manifold health advantages of outdoor activities.

Gender aspects of recreational sun-protective behavior: results of a representative, population-based survey among Austrian residents.

Lifetime risk for melanoma skin cancer is enlarged by sunlight exposure and reduced by sun protection. Austrian melanoma incidence and mortality rates are constantly rising with higher rates in males. Thus, we aimed at investigating gender‐specific recreational sun exposure habits among the Austrian population.

Public (Skin) Health and the publishing source bias of Austrian information material

IntroductionLifestyle-associated exposure to natural and artificial Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a causative factor for acute and chronic skin damage. Therefore, the availability of target group-specific information material on skin health promotion and disease prevention is a relevant Public (Skin) Health issue.MethodsInformation material (n=21) on sun-related health aspects freely available in Austria and provided by health care providers, sunscreen producers, and indoor tanning parlors was compared using an iterative, 16-point screening tool.ResultsWe report on heterogeneous strategies in health (risk) communication regarding amount of communicated information regarding (1) educative content (p=0.045), (2) sun protection (p=0.002), and (3) skin health (p=0.004). Material from health care providers and sunscreen producers focused on the disadvantages of sun light and suggested preventive measures (p=0.001). In contrast, indoor tanning parlors predominantly used stimulating pictures (p=0.004) and positive arguments to solicit sun bathing (p=0.001).ConclusionsPublic (Skin) Health campaigns and information materials could serve as a useful tool to increase public awareness regarding the hazards of exposure to sunlight. New strategies for skin health promotion could involve presenting standardized illustration and highlighting the benefits of UV light avoidance on appearance rather than provoking anxiety or psychological reactance.

Perceived Relevance of Educative Information on Public (Skin) Health: Results of a Representative, Population-Based Telephone Survey

Individual skin health attitudes are influenced by various factors, including public education campaigns, mass media, family, and friends. Evidence-based, educative information materials assist communication and decision-making in doctor-patient interactions. The present study aims at assessing the prevailing use of skin health information material and sources and their impact on skin health knowledge, motives to tan, and sun protection. We conducted a questionnaire survey among a representative sample of Austrian residents. Print media and television were perceived as the two most relevant sources for skin health information, whereas the source physician was ranked third. Picking the information source physician increased participants’ skin health knowledge (p = 0.025) and sun-protective behavior (p < 0.001). The study results highlight the demand for targeted health messages to attain lifestyle changes towards photo-protective habits. Providing resources that encourage pro-active counseling in every-day doctor-patient communication could increase skin health knowledge and sun-protective behavior, and thus, curb the rise in skin cancer incidence rates.