Psychology Presentation

CONTEXTUAL INFLUENCES ON STUDENT MOOD

By: Alexa Brown, Peyton Bainbridge and Malcolm Woodson

Index

Overview and Research Purpose

Hypotheses Overview

Methodology

H1, H2, H3

Additional Findings (Q)

Implications & Applications

Limitations & Future Directions

Conclusion (Q&A)

Overview of Research & Purpose(p)

Goal of the Study:

• Investigate the relationship between nature exposure, physical exercise, and climate change perceptions with mental health outcomes (depression, anxiety) among Cornell College students.

Key Research Questions:

• Does nature exposure reduce depression?
• How does exercise affect depression levels?
• Are climate change perceptions linked to anxiety?

Hypotheses (M)

Predictors of student mental health

Students with more nature exposure will report lower depression levels.

Hypothesis 1

Students who exercise more frequently will report lower depression.

Hypothesis 2

Negative perceptions of climate change will correlate with higher anxiety.

Hypothesis 3

Note. Depression and anxiety leves were measured with subscales of the PHQ-4 and climate change perceptions were measured with recently proposed scale ((an (Valkengoed et al., 2021).

MEthodology(p)

Participants:

• Sample size: 51 students
• Skewed white female population with most students being seniors.

Survey Questions:

• Nature exposure (window views, time spent in nature)
• Exercise frequency
• Climate change perceptions
• Depression and anxiety (4-point scale)

Click for Data

Key Finding:

• Natural window views correlated with lower depression, but time spent in nature did not have a significant effect.

Interpretation:

• Visual exposure (Ulrich, 1984) may be more restorative than physical presence.
• Conflicts with White et al. (2019), who found that 120+ minutes per week in nature reduced mental health issues

H1 - Nature Exposure & Depression(p)

Sleep quality and diet might moderate this effect (Memon et al., 2021; Annesi, 2024).

Key Finding:

• Frequent exercise correlates with lower depression levels.
• Aligns with Huang et al. (2023): Students exercising 2-3 times per week show better emotional regulation.

Additional Insight:

• Sleep quality and diet might moderate this effect (Memon et al., 2021; Annesi, 2024).

H2 - Exercise Frequency & Depression(m)

H3 - Climate Change Perceptions & Anxiety(A)

Key Finding:

• No significant relationship found between climate change perceptions and anxiety.
• Contradicts Schwaab et al. (2022), who found increased anxiety among students with climate concerns.

Possible Explanations:

• Skewed sample (mostly senior female students) could influence results.
• Educational level and class year impact perceptions more than age (Hoekstra et al., 2024).

Factors Affecting Climate Perception

interactive question(A)

Additional Findings (A)

Correlation:

• Students with more time in nature tend to have higher climate change awareness.

Dorm Selection & Mental Health:

• Mental health differences may also relate to housing landscape differences.
• Preferential housing based on class year impacts students' access to nature views.

TABLE 1:CORRELATION MATRIX

Implications & Applications (M)

Beyond Campus: Apply findings to workplaces, hospitals, and other environments by integrating natural elements. Promote Physical Activity:

• Encourage students to exercise 2-3 times a week to manage depression.
• Beyond Campus:
• Apply findings to workplaces, hospitals, and other environments by integrating natural elements.

Recommendations for Campus Housing:

• Design dorms with natural views to improve student well-being.
• Students can request dorms with nature views for better mental health.

LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS(p)

N=51

Liberal-arts

Our results were context-specific and conducted in a liberal arts college, hence they may not represent other populations.

Having only 51 participants limits generalizability

Larger Sample Size:

• Study a more diverse population across multiple campuses.

Longitudinal Studies:

• Track the long-term effects of nature exposure and exercise on mental health.

• Environmental and Behavioral Factors:
• Investigate other variables like air quality, noise pollution and social support.

4-Items

Stress

4-point scales might lack sensitivity due to subtle mental health differences.

Did not account for external stressors (e.g., academic pressure).

CONCLUsion(A)

Summary of Key Findings:

• Natural views reduce depression; time in nature does not.
• Exercise frequency lowers depression.
• Climate change perceptions did not correlate with anxiety in this sample.

Takeaways:

• Natural environments and exercise are important for mental health.
• More research is needed to explore climate change perceptions and mental health.

Closing Thought:

• "How can you bring more nature and exercise into your daily routine to improve your mental health?"

Q&aDiscussion(M)

Do you think these findings regarding contextual influences on College Students could apply to the general public?

Jul 20XX - Aug 20XX

Maps are a great ally, use them!

Jul 20XX - Aug 20XX

Maps are a great ally, use them!

Jul 20XX - Aug 20XX

Maps are a great ally, use them!