Social and nature connectedness, coping strategies, and mental health symptoms.

Aim of the study The study evaluates the role of connectedness and coping strategies in mental health model. Subject or material and methods The sample included a total of 81 adult participants aged 19-57 years (M=28.02), of whom 76,5% were female. More than half of participants live in the biggest cities in Poland, including capital city (61,73%). The online semi-structured questionnaire included sections concerning several areas: sociodemographic data, mental health symptoms (DASS-21), nature connectedness (CNS), social connectedness (SCS-R), coping strategies (Mini-COPE). Results The analysis examined how depression, stress, anxiety, and coping mechanisms are related to the nature and social connectedness. Obtained results shown: (1) significant negative relationship of social connectedness with severity of stress (r = -.41; BCa 95% CI), anxiety (r = -.40; BCa 95% CI) and depression (r = -.50; BCa 95% CI); (2) significant negative relationship of nature connectedness with anxiety level (r = -.22; BCa 95% CI) and symptoms of depression (r = -.26; BCa 95% CI). Furthermore, the results showed a significant relationships of social connectedness/ nature connectedness and adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies. Discussion Recent studies have shown the mental health is broad concept and both nature and social connectedness seems to be one of important factors affecting it. The stronger both nature and social connectedness we can observe the clear tendency to using positive, adaptive coping strategies. Conclusions As this research seems to indicate that prevention should include strengthening both social and nature connectedness, the implications of these findings may be useful for mental health care planning.