A Dose of Nature: Two Three-Level Meta-Analyses of the Beneficial Effects of Exposure to Nature on Children’s Self-Regulation

This paper presents two three-level meta-analyses examining the effects of exposure to nature on self-regulation in schoolchildren (Mage = 7.84 years; SD = 2.46). The meta-analyses included 15 correlational studies and 16 (quasi-)experimental studies. The study aimed to create a coherent overview of empirical findings scattered across different scientific disciplines.

The meta-analyses revealed small, but significant positive overall associations of nature with self-regulation in both correlational (r = .10; p < .001) and (quasi-) experimental (d = .15; p < .01) studies. Moderation analyses indicated that the type of instrument used to measure exposure to nature significantly moderated the association in correlational studies, with stronger associations found when exposure was assessed via parent reports. The results suggest nature may be a promising tool in stimulating children’s self-regulation and preventing child psychopathology, but highlight the need for more rigorous experimental studies.

Weeland, J., Moens, M.A., Beute, F., Assink, M. et al. (2019). A dose of nature: Two three-level meta- analyses of the beneficial effects of exposure to nature on children’s self-regulation. Journal of Environmental Psycholo., 65(101326).