Not All Nature Exposure Is Equal: Perceived Nature Engagement Predicts Mental Health Better Than Quantified Nature

Nature exposure is associated with mental health benefits, yet the relative contributions of perceived versus objectively quantified exposure remain poorly understood. This study examined how self-reported (perceived) and GPS-logged (quantified) nature exposure relate to depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, and affect among 548 first and second-year college students over a 15-week semester. Using linear mixed-effects models, we found that perceived nature exposure consistently predicted better mental health outcomes, including lower depression, stress, and loneliness, and higher positive affect. In contrast, quantified exposure—particularly in on-campus settings—was weakly associated with worse outcomes, suggesting that presence in green space does not guarantee psychological benefit. Off-campus quantified exposure showed modest associations with lower stress, possibly reflecting the affordance of distance from academic or digital demands. These findings underscore the importance of experiential engagement and context in understanding how nature supports well-being.