Interaction with the Plant World as a Source of Positive Human Functioning

1855

Abstract

The present review examines the restorative potential of interaction with flora for the physical and mental health of a person and their psychological well-being. The plant world is a particular part of nature, characterized by responsiveness, aesthetic appeal, and unobtrusiveness. These features make plants an effective means of restoring cognitive abilities, emotional state, as well as developing personal and behavioral effectiveness. At the same time, it is noted that, due to the phenomenon of plant blindness, their recovery resource is not used enough. The types of eco-therapy are analyzed; theories explaining the mechanisms of plants’ influence on the people’s psyche (biophilia hypothesis, attention restoration theory, stress recovery/reduction theory, and phyto-resonance) are presented. We review the results of studies proving the beneficial effect of interactions with the plant world (gardening, walking in the forest and park, simulation of the natural environment) on physical health and recovery from somatic diseases, on attention, creativity, behavior, and social functioning of a person. The effectiveness of interaction with flora is also noteworthy in the case of working with particular groups of people (adolescents from risk groups, offenders, and psychiatric patients). We analyze the limitations of studies, mainly related to their design.

General Information

Keywords: plants, psychological well-being, recovery, eco-therapy, garden therapy

Journal rubric: Research Reviews

Article type: scientific article

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2020280209

Funding. The study was conducted with the financial support of Russian Foundation for Basic Research (RFBR) (projects number 19-113-50118 and 19-013-00216).

For citation: Nartova-Bochaver S.K., Mukhortova E.A., Irkhin B.D. Interaction with the Plant World as a Source of Positive Human Functioning. Konsul'tativnaya psikhologiya i psikhoterapiya = Counseling Psychology and Psychotherapy, 2020. Vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 151–169. DOI: 10.17759/cpp.2020280209. (In Russ., аbstr. in Engl.)

References

  1. Gorbovskaya S.G. Floroobraz vo frantsuzskoi literature XIX veka. [Floreale in French literature of the XIX century]. Saint Petersburg: SPbGU, 2017. 276 p.
  2. Likhachev D. Poeziya sadov [Poetry of gardens]. Moscow: KoLibri, Azbuka- Attikus, 2018. 416 p.
  3. Nartova-Bochaver S.K. Narodnaya skazka kak sredstvo stikhiinoi psikhoterapii [The folk tale as a means of spontaneous psychotherapy]. In Nartov K.M. (ed.), Khrestomatiya. Skazki narodov mira [Reading-book. Tales of the world]. Moscow: Institut prakticheskoi psikhologii, 1996, pp. 3—14.
  4. Nartova-Bochaver S.K., Mukhortova E.A. Oprosnik “Lyudi i Rasteniya”: izuchenie otnosheniya cheloveka k miru rastenii [Questionnaire “People and plants” (PaP): a study of human relations to the plant world]. Psikhologicheskii zhurnal, 2020. Vol. 41 (1), pp. 95—105. doi:10.31857/S020595920007984-8
  5. Chistopol’skaya K.A., Enikolopov S.N., Nikolaev E.L., et al. Svyaz’ s prirodoi: vklad v dushevnoe blagopoluchie [Connection with nature: contribution to mental well-being]. Perspektivy psikhologicheskoi nauki i praktiki: sbornik statei Mezhdunarodnoi nauchnoprakticheskoi konferentsii. (Moskva, 16 iyunya 2017 g.). [Perspectives of Psychological Science and Practice: Proceedings of the International Scietific-Practical Conference] Moscow: FGBOU VO «RGU im. A.N. Kosygina», 2017, pp. 764—767.
  6. Sharafadina K.I. “Selam, otkroisya!”. Floropoetika v obraznom yazyke russkoi i zarubezhnoi literatury [“Selam, open up!”. Floropoetics in the figurative language of Russian and foreign literature]. Saint Petersburg: Nestor-Istoriya, 2018. 544 p.
  7. Annerstedt M., Währborg P. Nature-assisted therapy: Systematic review of controlled and observational studies. Scandinavian Journal of Public Health, 2011. Vol. 39 (4), pp. 371—388. doi:10.1177/1403494810396400
  8. Barnes M.R., Donahue M.L., Keeler B.L., et al. Characterizing nature and participant experience in studies of nature exposure for positive mental health: an integrative review [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. Vol. 9. Available at: https:// www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02617/full (Accessed 10.01.2020). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02617
  9. Bennett D.S., Gibbons T.A. Efficacy of child cognitive-behavioral interventions for antisocial behavior: A meta-analysis. Child & Family Behavior Therapy, 2000. Vol. 22 (1), pp. 1—15. doi:10.1300/J019v22n01_01
  10. Bringslimark T., Hartig T., Patil G.G. The psychological; benefits of indoor plants: a critical review of the experimental literature. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2009. Vol. 29 (4), pp. 422—433. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2009.05.001
  11. Bowen D.J., Neill J.T., Crisp S.J.R. Wilderness adventure therapy effects on the mental health of youth participants. Evaluation and Program Planning, 2016. Vol. 58, pp. 49—59. doi:10.1016/j.evalprogplan.2016.05.005
  12. Buzzell L., Chalquist C. Psyche and nature in a circle of healing. In Buzzell L., Chalquist C. (eds.). Ecotherapy: Healing with nature in mind. Berkeley, CA: Counterpoint, 2009, pp. 17—21.
  13. Capaldi C.A., Passmore H.-A., Nisbet E.K., et al. Flourishing in nature: A review of the benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a wellbeing intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 2015. Vol. 5 (4), pp. 1—16. doi:10.5502/ijw.v5i4.449
  14. Clayton S., Opotow S. Identity and the natural environment: The psychological significance of nature. Cambridge: MIT Press, 2003. 365 p.
  15. Collado S., Staats H. Contact with nature and children’s restorative experiences: an eye to the future [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2016. Vol. 7. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01885/full (Accessed 15.12.2019). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2016.01885
  16. Diette G.B., Lechtzin N., Haponik E., et al. Distraction therapy with nature sights and sounds reduces pain during flexible bronchoscopy: A complimentary approach to routine analgesia. Chest, 2003. Vol. 123 (3), pp. 941—948. doi:10.1378/ chest.123.3.941
  17. Elings M. People-plant interaction: the physiological, psychological and sociological effects of plants on people. In Hassink J., van Dijk M. (eds.). Farming for health. Dordrecht: Springer, 2006, pp. 43—55.
  18. Engemann K., Pedersen C.B., Arge L., et al. Residential green space in childhood is associated with lower risk of psychiatric disorders from adolescence into adulthood. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2019. Vol. 116 (11), pp. 5188—5193. doi:10.1073/pnas.1807504116
  19. Greenleaf A. T., Bryant R.M., Pollock J.B. Nature-based counseling: Integrating the healing benefits of nature into practice. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 2014. Vol. 36 (2), pp. 162—174. doi:10.1007/s10447-013-9198-4
  20. Hartig T., Mang M., Evans G.W. Restorative effects of natural environment experiences. Environment and Behavior, 1991. Vol. 23 (1), pp. 3—26. doi:10.1177/0013916591231001
  21. Hinds J., Sparks P. The affective quality of human-natural environment relationships. Evolutionary Psychology, 2011. Vol. 9 (3), pp. 451—469. doi:10.1177/147470491100900314
  22. Howell A.J., Dopko R.L., Passmore H.-A., et al. Nature connectedness: Associations with well-being and mindfulness. Personality and Individual Differences, 2011. Vol. 51 (2), pp. 166—171. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2011.03.037
  23. International conference on environmental psychology. Plymouth 2019. 4—6 September. Conference handbook [Elektronnyi resurs]. Available at: https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/uploads/production/document/path/15/15210/ Conference_handbook_FINAL.pdf (Accessed 10.01.2020).
  24. Jordan M. Back to nature. Therapy Today, 2009. Vol. 20 (3), pp. 26—28.
  25. Kamitsis I., Simmonds J.G. Using Resources of Nature in the Counselling Room: Qualitative Research into Ecotherapy Practice. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 2017. Vol. 39 (3), pp. 229—248. doi:10.1007/s10447-017-9294-y
  26. Kaplan R. The role of nature in the context of the workplace. Landscape and Urban Planning, 1993. Vol. 26 (1—4), pp. 193—201. doi:10.1016/0169- 2046(93)90016-7
  27. Kellert S.R., Wilson E.O. (eds.). The Biophilia Hypothesis. Washington, DC: Island Press, 1993. 484 p.
  28. Kohlleppel T., Bradley J.C., Jacob S. A walk through the garden: Can a visit to a botanic garden reduce stress? HortTechnology, 2002. Vol. 12 (3), pp. 489—492. doi:10.21273/HORTTECH.12.3.489
  29. Lewis C.A. Green nature/human nature: The meaning of plants in our lives. Urbana, IL: University of Illinois Press, 1996. 160 p.
  30. Lohr V.I., Pearson-Mims C.H. Physical discomfort may be reduced in the presence of interior plants. HortTechnology, 2001. Vol. 10 (1), pp. 53—58. doi:10.21273/ HORTTECH.10.1.53
  31. Louv R. Last child in the woods: Saving our children from nature-deficit disorder. New York: Algonquin books, 2008. 416 p.
  32. Malenbaum S., Keefe F.J., Williams A., et al. Pain in its environmental context: implications for designing environments to enhance pain control. Pain, 2008. Vol. 134 (3), pp. 241—244. doi:10.1016/j.pain.2007.12.002
  33. Martens D., Gutscher H., Bauer N. Walking in “wild” and “tended” urban forests: The impact on psychological well-being. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2011. Vol. 31 (1), pp. 36—44. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2010.11.001
  34. McCaffrey R. The effect of healing gardens and art therapy on older adults with mild to moderate depression. Holistic Nursing Practice, 2007. Vol. 21 (2), pp. 79—84. doi:10.1097/01.HNP.0000262022.80044.06
  35. Nartova-Bochaver S.K., Muhortova E.A. If people are attached to plants, do they love other people? Case of the Russian youth [Elektronnyi resurs]. Behavioral Sciences, 2020. Vol. 10 (2). Available at: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/10/2/40/htm (Accessed 1.05.2020). doi:10.3390/bs10020040
  36. Neuberger K. Die Arbeit im Garten als Metapher und Ausschnitt der Wirklichkeit. Praxis Ergotherapie, 1993. Vol. 2, pp. 88—89.
  37. Nilsson K., Sangster M., Gallis C., et al. (eds.). Forests, trees and human health. New York: Springer Science & Business Media, 2010. 436 p.
  38. Ozdemir A., Yilmaz O. Assessment of outdoor school environments and physical activity in Ankara’s primary schools. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 2008. Vol. 28 (3), pp. 287—300. doi:10.1016/j.jenvp.2008.02.004
  39. Park S.-H., Mattson R.H. Therapeutic influences of plants in hospital rooms on surgical recovery. HortTechnology, 2009. Vol. 44 (1), pp. 102—105. doi:10.21273/ HORTSCI.44.1.102
  40. Pasanen T., Johnson K., Lee K., et al. Can nature walks with psychological tasks improve mood, self-reported restoration, and sustained attention? Results from two experimental field studies [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018. Vol. 9. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02057/full (Accessed 10.01.2020). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02057
  41. Raanaas R.K., Patil G.G., Hartig T. Effects of an indoor foliage plant intervention on patient well-being during a residential rehabilitation program. HortScience, 2010. Vol. 45 (3), pp. 387—392. doi:10.21273/HORTSCI.45.3.387
  42. Richards H.J., Kafami D.M. Impact of horticultural therapy on vulnerability and resistance to substance abuse among incarcerated offenders. Journal of Offender Rehabilitation, 1999. Vol. 29 (3—4), pp. 183—193. doi:10.1300/J076v29n03_11
  43. Roe J., Aspinall P.A. The restorative outcomes of forest versus indoor settings in young people with varying behaviour states. Urban Forestry and Urban Greening, 2011. Vol. 10 (3), pp. 205—212.
  44. Shepard P. Phyto-resonance of the true self. The healing dimensions of people plant relations: Proceedings of a research symposium. March 24—27, 1994, University of California, Davis. Davis, CA: UC Davis, 1994, pp. 154—160.
  45. Stevenson M.P., Dewhurst R., Schilhab T., et al. Cognitive restoration in children following exposure to nature: evidence from the attention network task and mobile eye tracking [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2019. Vol. 10. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00042/full (Accessed 21.01.2020). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00042
  46. Summers J.K., Vivian D.N. Ecotherapy — A forgotten ecosystem service: A review [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018. Vol. 9. Available at: https:// www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01389/full (Accessed 21.12.2019). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01389
  47. Takano T., Nakamura K., Watanabe M. Urban residential environments and senior citizens’ longevity in megacity areas: the importance of walkable green spaces. Journal of Epidemiology & Community Health, 2002. Vol. 56 (12), pp. 913—918. doi:10.1136/jech.56.12.913
  48. Tracey D., Gray T., Truong S., et al. Combining acceptance and commitment therapy with adventure therapy to promote psychological wellbeing for children at-risk [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018. Vol. 9. Available at: https:// www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01565/full (Accessed 21.12.2019). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.01565
  49. Tse M.M., Ng J. K., Chung J.W., et al. The effect of visual stimuli on pain threshold and tolerance. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 2002. Vol. 11 (4), pp. 264—269. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2702.2002.00608.x
  50. Ulrich R.S., Simons R.F., Losito B.D., et al. Stress recovery during exposure to natural and urban environments. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 1991. Vol. 11 (3), pp. 201—230. doi:10.1016/S0272-4944(05)80184-7
  51. Van den Berg A.E., Maas J., Verheij R.A., et al. Green space as a buffer between stressful life events and health. Social Science & Medicine, 2010. Vol. 70 (8), pp. 1203—1210. doi:10.1016/j.socscimed.2010.01.002
  52. Van den Berg A.E., Wesselius J.E., Maas J., et al. Green walls for a restorative classroom environment: a controlled evaluation study. Environment and Behavior, 2017. Vol. 49 (7), pp. 791—813. doi:10.1177/0013916516667976
  53. Wandersee J.H., Schussler E.E. Toward a theory of plant blindness. Plant Science Bulletin, 2001. Vol. 47 (1), pp. 2—9.
  54. Wilson S.J., Lipsey M.W. Wilderness challenge programs for delinquent youth: a meta-analysis of outcome evaluations. Evaluation and Program Planning, 2000. Vol. 23 (1), pp. 1—12. doi:10.1016/S0149-7189(99)00040-3
  55. Wells N.M., Evans G.W. Nearby nature: A buffer of life stress among rural children. Environment and Behavior, 2003. Vol. 35 (3), pp. 311—330. doi:10.1177/0013916503035003001
  56. Wooller J.J., Rogerson M., Barton J., et al. Can simulated green exercise improve recovery from acute mental stress? [Elektronnyi resurs]. Frontiers in Psychology, 2018. Vol. 9. Available at: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02167/ full (Accessed 21.12.2019). doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02167

Information About the Authors

Sofya K. Nartova-Bochaver, Doctor of Psychology, Professor of the Department of Psychology, HSE University, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8061-4154, e-mail: s-nartova@yandex.ru

Elena A. Mukhortova, Senior Lecturer, Department of Pedagogical Psychology n.a. Professor V.A. Guruzhapov, Faculty of Psychology of Education, Moscow State University of Psychology & Education, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9468-3057, e-mail: muhortova.elena@yandex.ru

Boris D. Irkhin, Master, PhD Student, National Research University Higher School of Economics, Moscow, Russia, ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9257-4228, e-mail: irkhinbd@gmail.com

Metrics

Views

Total: 1910
Previous month: 40
Current month: 32

Downloads

Total: 1855
Previous month: 30
Current month: 11