Mentally Refreshing Experiences

Johansson and colleagues asked Swedish adults from urban and rural areas to “read scenarios concerning encounters with each of these four animals during recreational visits to a nearby natural setting. The scenarios varied in how frequently the person could expect to encounter each animal across visits (never, sometimes, often). . . . Across all areas . . . our participants largely saw the restorative values of the visit increase with the likelihood of more frequent encounters with roe deer and squirrel [fear-irrelevant wildlife], and decrease as encounters with wild boar and wolf [fear-relevant wildlife] became more likely. . . .  A similar pattern showed in recreational setting choices. . . . our results also strengthen arguments against allowing attractants for fear-relevant animals (e.g., feeding stations) to be maintained close to residential settings. Moreover, in designated recreational areas with dense concentrations of residences, management could favour habitats for species that are likely to promote or at least not prevent restoration.”

Maria Johansson, Anders Flykt, Jens Frank, and Terry Hartig.  “Wildlife and the Restorative Potential of Natural Settings.”  Journal of Environmental Psychology, in press, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2024.102233