Nature IDEAS Study: an RCT to Increase Time Spent in Nature Among University Students

Last updated: October 8, 2024
Sponsor: Michigan State University
Overall Status: Active - Recruiting

Phase

N/A

Condition

N/A

Treatment

Increasing time in nature

Clinical Study ID

NCT06633367
STUDY00010829
  • Ages 18-24
  • All Genders
  • Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Summary

This project will first examine nature opportunities, belonging and benefits with a multi-state nature-based intervention with a focus on students of color. In light of the syndemic, 'nature deficit disorder' and poor mental health, the investigators anticipate several far-reaching impacts that will (a) test a nationally useful standardized way to quantify exposure; (b) invest in nature resources and accessibility on campuses; and (c) promote the mental health and therapeutic benefits of nature among young adults. These will lead to understanding the nature exposure and mental health interplay and techniques for quantifying and encouraging nature exposure to treat the on-going youth mental health crisis. Including HBCUs and an hispanic-serving institution is expected to result in heightened visibility of underlying disparities, including structural racism and land-based violence and discrimination, that have contributed to current-day nature gaps and dismantled nature relationships for students of color.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Undergraduate student

  • 18-24 years of age

  • Lives within 30 miles of university campus

Exclusion

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Not an undergraduate student

  • Under 18 or over 24 years of age

  • Lives > 30 miles from the university campus

Study Design

Total Participants: 1500
Treatment Group(s): 1
Primary Treatment: Increasing time in nature
Phase:
Study Start date:
September 09, 2024
Estimated Completion Date:
November 30, 2025

Study Description

America faces a syndemic of youth 'nature deficit disorder' and poor mental health. These conditions can be improved by nature contact, but the outdoors is not equally accessible, particularly for students of color. This study leverages the NatureDose™ app to identify racial/ethnic inequities in nature opportunities, belonging, and benefits and conduct an RCT to improve mental health and address disparities by getting university students outdoors into nature. The investigators will test 3 over-arching questions:

  1. Are there differences in nature opportunities and/or belongingness for White versus students of color?

  2. Does more time in nature correlate with greater feelings of nature connectedness, belongingness, and better mental health?

  3. Is a nature-based intervention that leverages NatureDoseTM a cost-effective way to improve mental health, particularly for students of color?

This project has two stages. 1) We will determine nature opportunities at each institution using park and sports field mapping, remote sensing, and tree canopy assessment within 30 miles of campuses to identify disparities. 2) As Fall semester starts, we will recruit 160 students/site for a randomized controlled trial (N=1,440 total, giving 80% power to detect effects down to Cohen's d=0.2 even with attrition). Students will complete baseline surveys on nature connectedness (NR-6), nature belongingness (validated scale for university students), mental health (distress, worry, positive/negative affect), and demographics. Next, students will download the NatureDose™ app, which uses 30+ datasets and machine learning models to quantify nature. The app calculates how much nature is near users whenever they are outdoors, and weekly minutes in nature. App data will be collected over a 2-week baseline period, after which students will be randomized to receive 1) standard information about the health benefits of nature (50%) (Active Control) or 2) standard health information, a request to increase weekly minutes in nature, eligibility for a prize, and peer performance comparison. After 2 weeks, students will repeat baseline surveys.

Connect with a study center

  • Morgan State University

    Baltimore, Maryland 21251
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Maryland

    College Park, Maryland 20742
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of Maryland Eastern Shore

    Salisbury, Maryland 21804
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Michigan State University

    East Lansing, Michigan 48824
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • University of New Mexico

    Albequerque, New Mexico 87131
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • North Carolina A&T University

    Greensboro, North Carolina 27411
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • Cleveland State University

    Cleveland, Ohio 44115
    United States

    Active - Recruiting

  • Clemson University

    Clemson, South Carolina 29631
    United States

    Site Not Available

  • University of Virginia

    Charlottesville, Virginia 22902
    United States

    Site Not Available

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