An Exploration of the Relationships between Adults’ Childhood and Current Nature Exposure and Their Mental Well-Being

Abstract

This study explores the relationshipsbetween adults’ childhood nature exposure (NE), current NE,and mental well-being.Correlational data from two countries (Australia and Germany) found positive relationships betweenboth childhood and current NE and numerous mental well-being indicators.However, the contribution o fchildhood NE was indirect, through its relationship to current NE. The German study also assessed ecological behavior and connectedness to nature, and although childhood NE maintained a marginal relation to both these variables, current NE was also precedent in these domains. The relationships between NE and mental well-being and ecological behavior were both mediated by connectedness to nature.Thus, for the mental well-being of humans and protection of the earth, nature exposure should be encouraged and maintained later in life.