Digital modalities, nature, and quality of life: mental health and conservation benefits of watching bear cams.

Autor: Skibins, Jeffrey C., Das, Bhibha M., Schuler, Gwyneth
Předmět:
Zdroj: Human Dimensions of Wildlife; 2023, Vol. 28 Issue 3, p218-232, 15p
Abstrakt: Exposure to nature is correlated with improving mental health and pro-conservation attitudes. Emerging research suggests digital nature exposure may also produce these outcomes. This article used a qualitative approach to evaluate the impact of viewing wildlife-oriented webcams on mental health and pro-conservation attitudes. Data were obtained from 6968 online surveys. Viewers reported improvements in mental health, and positive changes in perceptions of nature and pro-conservation attitudes. Digital exposure to nature, via wildlife webcams, is capable of delivering positive improvements to individuals' mental health and quality of life, as well as conservation outcomes. Ease of access and affordability positions wildlife webcams as a powerful tool to contribute to mental health and conservation efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Databáze: Complementary Index