Virtual nature and seasonality: Exploring the influences of time of year and virtual season on stress, affect and nature connectedness outcomes – a randomized trial

Immersive Virtual Nature (IVN) has emerged as a promising tool to promote well-being and nature connectedness, though little is known about potential seasonal influences. To address this gap, this single blind randomized trial with parallel groups explores possible influences of the seasonal theme of virtual scenarios and time of year when the exposure occurs on psychological responses to IVN experiences. 108 university students (inclusion criteria: ≥ 18 years old, normal or corrected to normal sight) were recruited in early spring (March 18 – April 9) or early autumn (September 28 – October 17) and randomized to view a 360° nature video of the same environment with either a summer ( n = 27 and 26, respectively) or winter theme ( n = 27 and 28, respectively). Outcomes included affect, perceived stress, nature connectedness, intention to perform green exercise, and intention to visit the location depicted in the videos. All participants were included in the analysis. Two-way ANOVAs found significant pre-post improvements for most outcomes (e.g., perceived stress: F (1,104) = 35.64, p < 0.001) except positive affect and intention to perform green exercise. No significant pre-post by “theme” interactions were observed for any of the outcomes. A significant pre-post by “cohort” interaction was found only for perceived stress ( F (1,104) = 7.32, p = 0.008), with greater reductions in the spring cohort compared to the autumn cohort. IVN depicting either summer of winter seasonal themes can elicit similar psychological responses. However, the magnitude of some responses may vary across the year.