RESEARCH

The Relationship Between Nature Exposure and Depression among Chinese Prisoners: A Moderated Mediation Model

The study found that meaning in life partially mediates the relationship between exposure to nature and depressive symptoms, with an indirect effect of -0.05 (95% CI [-0.093, -0.029]). Additionally, the indirect effect of nature exposure on depression via meaning in life was substantially stronger for inmates with higher CU traits (β = -0.08, 95% CI [-0.123, -0.040]) than for those with lower CU traits (β = -0.03, 95% CI [-0.055, -0.003]).
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Summary

This study aimed to investigate the link between self-reported nature exposure and depression among Chinese prisoners. It highlights that prisoners face a higher likelihood of experiencing depression than the general population due to the challenging prison environment. While nature exposure has been suggested as a cost-effective method for addressing depressive symptoms in incarcerated individuals, the specific mechanisms through which it exerts its effects in this population were not fully understood. The study utilized a survey conducted in four prisons in southern China from April to May 2022, collecting data anonymously from 574 prisoners. The participants completed questionnaires assessing nature exposure, meaning in life, depression, and callous-unemotional (CU) traits. The research employed a moderated mediation model to analyze the relationships between these variables, controlling for demographic factors like gender, age, marital status, education level, and whether participants had children.

The results of the study revealed that meaning in life acts as a significant mediator in the association between nature exposure and depression. This suggests that nature exposure helps reduce depression by enhancing a prisoner’s sense of meaning in life. Furthermore, the study found that CU traits moderate the connection between nature exposure and meaning in life. This indicates that the positive impact of nature exposure on increasing meaning in life is stronger for prisoners with higher CU traits compared to those with lower traits. The findings suggest that nature exposure offers a novel pathway to alleviate depressive symptoms in prisoners, particularly benefiting those with high CU traits. The study also discusses the practical implications, recommending increased outdoor activities or the integration of biophilic design in prisons, and tailoring interventions based on CU traits to enhance meaning in life and reduce depression.

Link

Zeng, Y., Zhang, Q., Yan, J. et al. (2024). The relationship between nature exposure and depression among Chinese prisoners: A moderated mediation model. Front Psychol., 15, 1252864

 

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