This study aimed to investigate the potential for psychological restoration of natural environments and its impact on social mindfulness. The research was conducted in Leiden's Singelpark, an urban...Show moreThis study aimed to investigate the potential for psychological restoration of natural environments and its impact on social mindfulness. The research was conducted in Leiden's Singelpark, an urban park around the inner city of Leiden. The hypothesis posited that natural sections of the park would exhibit a greater capacity for psychological restoration compared to urban sections and that social mindfulness ratings would increase following a walk in the park. A total of 50 participants engaged in a walk within the Singelpark and provided responses to questionnaires before, during, and after the walk. Results revealed that there was no significant relationship between the naturalness of the park and the potential for psychological restoration or social mindfulness. However, perceived beauty was significantly related to the potential for psychological restoration. These findings suggest that further research is needed to understand the specific mechanisms through which beauty and naturalness influence restoration.Show less
The decrease of vegetation in cities is a widespread trend that has severe consequences for humanity and the climate alike. Pro-environmental choices such as increasing the vegetation in a garden...Show moreThe decrease of vegetation in cities is a widespread trend that has severe consequences for humanity and the climate alike. Pro-environmental choices such as increasing the vegetation in a garden seem to depend on emotions especially guilt and pride. In the current study it was hypothesized that feelings of guilt led to higher intentions and current environmental behavior to add vegetation to the garden. This cross-sectional study employed an existing dataset with 301 participants that had previously provided information about guilt and pro-environmental choices. Increased feelings of guilt were associated with higher intentions to add vegetation to the garden but not with increased current environmental behavior to do so. Therefore, guilt only seems to influence the intentions to add vegetation to the garden but not the actual behavior.Show less
