DIE VERBAND TUSSEN LEWENSTYL EN ASPEKTE VAN PSIGOLOGIESE VERBINTENIS MET DIE NATUUR BY STEDELIKE JONG VOLWASSENES

• Main Author: van Zyl, Laurisa
• Other Authors: Prof KGF Esterhuyse
• Format: Others
• Language: en-uk
• Published: University of the Free State 2011
• Subjects: Psychology
• Online Access: http://etd.uovs.ac.za//theses/available/etd-06072011-150256/restricted/

The general aim of this study is largely to explore and study aspects (emotional and experiential, and cognitive) of psychological connectedness to nature and life style among urban young adults. Participants (n=1263) between the ages of 21 to 40 years from four cities (Bloemfontein, Durban, Kimberley and Pretoria) were included. The measuring instruments used in this study are the Connectedness to Nature Scale (CNS), the New Ecological Paradigm (NEP), the Lifestyle Index A (L A) and a biographical questionnaire. With regards to cognitive connectedness to nature (also pro-ecological worldview) significant differences were found in terms of race, highest educational qualification and language group. A significant positive correlation between emotional and experiential aspects of connectedness to nature, and lifestyle was also established. This correlation was found to be significant for gender, age, race, language, urban area, growing up living environment, highest educational level, the caring for domestic nature elements and specifically pets. Outdoor working environment pertained significantly to a positive correlation between emotional and experiential, and cognitive connectedness to nature. Identified psychosocial themes such as aspects of participantsâ lives that influence their connectedness to nature, differentiated significantly between levels of cognitive connectedness to nature.