The Effects of the Natural Environment on Attention and Family Cohesion

An Experimental Study

Abstract

This studyexplored1)mothers’and middle-childhood daughters’attention after exposure to two different environments, and 2) theirquality of family cohesion. Twenty-seven mother-daughterdyads participated in two counterbalanced experimental conditions—a 20-minute walk at an arboretumanda mall—followed by a family interaction task. Before and after each walk, we measuredattentionusing digit span backwardsand measuredfamily cohesionusing direct observational coding methods. Resultsshowed that exposure to nature restored individual attention,especially for mothers; was perceived as morefun, relaxing, and interesting; and contributed to greaterdyadiccohesion.