title: Self-esteem mediates the relationship between connectedness to nature and body appreciation in women, but not men.
abstract: Connectedness to nature (i.e., an affective and experiential connection to nature) is known to have a positive effect on psychological well-being, but its specific associations with body image have not been fully examined. To attend to this oversight, we conducted a preliminary investigation of associations between connectedness to nature and body appreciation. A total of 380 British adults completed measures of connectedness to nature, body appreciation, and self-esteem. Bivariate correlations revealed significant positive associations between all variables in women. In men, body appreciation was significantly correlated with self-esteem, but not connectedness to nature. Mediation analysis showed that, in women, self-esteem fully mediated the relationship between connectedness to nature and body appreciation. In men, body appreciation was significantly associated with self-esteem, but not connectedness to nature. These results point to a potential route for improving body image among women through connectedness to nature and self-esteem, but further research is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK; Department of Psychology, HELP University College, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Electronic address: viren.swami@anglia.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Viren
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Swami
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK.
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: von Nordheim
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Westminster, London, UK.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Barron
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001828:Body Image / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019368:Nature; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Body appreciation; Connectedness to nature; Nature; Self-esteem