Bodies in Nature: Associations between Exposure to Nature, Connectedness to Nature, and Body Image in U.S. Adults

Swami, Viren and Barron, David and Weis, Laura and Furnham, Adrian (2016) Bodies in Nature: Associations between Exposure to Nature, Connectedness to Nature, and Body Image in U.S. Adults. Body Image, 18. pp. 153-161. ISSN 1873-6807

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Abstract

Here, we sought to replicate previous work showing a relationship between connectedness to nature and body appreciation, and extend it by examining associations between exposure to natural environments and other body image-related variables. An online sample of 399 U.S. women and men (Mage = 34.55 years) completed measures of body appreciation, connectedness to nature, nature exposure, appearance investment, sociocultural attitudes toward appearance, and self-esteem. Path analysis showed that nature exposure and connectedness to nature, respectively, were associated with body appreciation in women and men, both directly and indirectly via self-esteem. Connectedness to nature also mediated the link between nature exposure and body appreciation. In men, but not women, the link between connectedness to nature and body appreciation was also mediated by appearance investment and internalisation of a muscular ideal. These results may point to novel methods for promoting more positive body image in adults through engagement with nature.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Keywords:	Body appreciation, Body image, Connectedness to nature, Nature exposure, Self-esteem
Faculty:	ARCHIVED Faculty of Science & Technology (until September 2018)
Depositing User:	Viren Swami
Date Deposited:	21 Jul 2016 12:44
Last Modified:	09 Sep 2021 18:59
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/700554

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