Virtual nature and well-being: Exploring the potential of 360° VR

Area of Science:

• Environmental Psychology
• Digital Health
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Growing interest in e-health interventions for mental well-being.
• Limited access to natural environments for many populations.
• Potential of immersive technologies like virtual reality (VR) for therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the efficacy of 360° VR nature videos as e-health interventions.
• To assess the impact of VR nature videos on emotional well-being and nature connectedness.
• To explore the role of presence and user experience in VR nature interventions.

Main Methods:

• Mixed-method approach with 63 participants.
• Participants engaged with four 360° VR nature videos.
• Measured presence, emotional states (positive and negative affect), user experience, and nature connectedness before and after VR exposure.

Main Results:

• High levels of presence reported, with feelings of calmness and escape.
• Positive affect increased significantly post-VR; negative affect remained unchanged.
• Nature connectedness improved across all participants.
• Individual differences (e.g., prior VR experience, gender) influenced outcomes.

Conclusions:

• 360° VR nature videos are a viable tool for enhancing emotional well-being and nature connectedness.
• VR nature experiences can serve as effective e-health interventions in social marketing.
• Tailoring VR interventions based on individual differences is recommended for optimal results.