Contact with Nature: A Construction Study of the GREEN Model

Objective: Contact with nature (CWN) is a key mental health promoting lifestyle. We developed the GREEN model, which comprises five factors–group, reflection, empowerment, emotion, and nature, to assess the mental health benefits from CWN. In this study, we intended to investigate whether the GREEN model can serve as a framework for CWN. Methods: In this study, we included 112 study participants of students aged 19–28 years taking classes between March and May 2023 at one of two Taiwanese universities. Assessments were done using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) questionnaire and the Inclusion of Nature in Self (INS) scale. Results: On the basis of the AHP survey results, we found that the following weights were assigned to the GREEN model factors: group, 0.13; reflection, 0.21; empowerment, 0.22; emotion, 0.31; and nature, 0.14. We also found that in a subset of study participants with a consistency ratio of < 0.1 in the AHP, the weights to the model factors were as follows: group, 0.12; reflection, 0.22; empowerment, 0.20; emotion, 0.34; and nature, 0.12. All five factors had a weight of > 0.1, indicating that they had good CWN. The weights for the GREEN model factors differed between the low- and high-INS groups. Emotional calmness was emerged as the most crucial factor for effective CWN programs. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the GREEN model is useful for CWN-related interventions.