Nature Connectedness: Its Impact on, Proactive Coping and Emotion Regulation in Emerging Adults

Abstract

Background: ‘Emerging adult’, the period from the end of adolescence to young adulthood, is a transition phase in which one frequently engages in negative thinking. The psychological resources of nature connectedness, proactive coping, emotional regulation and their associated impact on emerging adults are thus deemed significant to study. 

Objective: To examine nature connectedness and its impact on proactive coping and emotional regulation in Indian emerging adults. 

Methods: Correlational survey research was conducted with 100 emerging adults (N=100) drawn randomly from different departments of a Central University in Bihar. Self-report measures of nature connectedness, emotional regulation and proactive coping were used to assess the three psychological resources. 

Results: Nature connectedness was positively associated with and significantly predicted proactive coping in the emerging adults. Proactive coping was found to associate positively and significantly influence cognitive reappraisal, the positive dimension of emotion regulation. 

Conclusions: Nature connectedness, proactive coping and emotion regulation could be understood as psychological resources for emerging adults that may help them overcome the vulnerability of this phase. 

Implications: Findings have emphasised the flourishing nature of connectedness and advocate for including it in psychological interventions and programs to enhance adaptive coping and emotion regulation among emerging adults.