Nature Photography for Mental Well-Being and Nature Connectedness in Young Adults

Nature Photography for Mental Well-Being and Nature Connectedness in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This study tests whether a nature photography intervention can improve mental well-being and nature connectedness in young adults with mild emotional distress, and examines self-compassion as a key mechanism in this process. Participants are randomized to a nature photography group, a human-made object photography group , or a group receiving a stress management handbook. Eight photography tasks are delivered through a mobile platform. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up.

This is a three-arm randomized controlled trial examining whether nature-based photography improves mental well-being and nature connectedness among young adults with mild emotional distress. Participants are randomized to a nature photography intervention, an active control completing human-made object photography, or a control group receiving a stress management handbook. The intervention runs for 16 days and comprises eight structured photography sessions. The primary outcomes are depression (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms at post-intervention. Secondary outcomes include nature connectedness, self-compassion, positive and negative affect, meaning in life, and life satisfaction, assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and one-month follow-up. Changes in self-compassion, mindfulness, and nature connectedness are examined as hypothesized mechanisms of the intervention effect.

Inclusion Criteria:

• PHQ-9 score ≥ 5 or GAD-7 score ≥ 5 (presence of mild or greater emotional distress).

Exclusion Criteria:

• PHQ-9 score ≥20 or GAD-7 score ≥15 (severe depressive or anxiety symptoms).
• Currently receiving psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.