sense of 'being there' in VR linked to stronger nature connectedness gains
Exact: ρ=0.35
Participants' sense of presence ('being there') correlated with changes in nature connectedness
Presence — specifically the feeling of 'being there' in the virtual environment — was positively associated with the degree to which participants felt more connected to nature after the experience. This suggests that the psychological quality of the virtual nature exposure, not just the technology used, matters for engagement outcomes.
The participants' changes in nature connectedness (ρ=0.35; P =.03) and attendance on the hiking tour (ρ=.37; P =.02) correlated with the presence item "being there."
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