Needs to connect to urban nature in female university students from Southern Germany: a mixed methods concept mapping study

TL;DR

This study explores what female university students in Southern Germany need to feel connected to urban nature, which can improve mental health.

Contribution

The study identifies nine specific needs for urban nature connectedness and emphasizes the importance of situational contexts over individual traits.

Findings

Urban nature connectedness was rated as relatively low among participants.

Nine needs were identified, grouped into situational contexts and individual differences.

Only one need (accessibility) was rated as important, highlighting the need to consider importance in practical applications.

Abstract

Mental health problems are a major global health concern today. Psychological well-being, such as mental health, can be improved through nature connectedness. Nature connectedness is a co-benefit of planetary health. However, access to nature, along with sufficient exposure to it, which promotes nature connectedness, is a challenge for urban inhabitants. Therefore, this study aims to identify the needs required to connect with urban nature. Between June and August 2021, 152 female university students from Southern Germany participated in a mixed methods concept mapping study. Urban nature connectedness was rated as relatively low. Overall, nine different needs related to urban nature connectedness were identified. In line with previous research, we categorized these needs into three domains (situational contexts: n = 7, individual differences and psychological states: n = 1), respectively. The predominance of the situational contexts domain suggests that urban nature connectedness is a state rather than a trait. Only one need (i.e., accessibility) was rated as important, thereby suggesting that a mere summary of needs—without considering their respective importance—is insufficient to draw solid conclusions for practical implications. This study provides unique insights into the development of urban nature connectedness among female individuals. Our findings should be considered in future research on the operationalization of the construct, the development and validation of a robust measuring instrument, and the design of an intervention. In addition, our findings can inform policymakers and city planners about the optimization of urban design to improve urban nature connectedness and, consequently, health among urban inhabitants.

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