The Effect of Nature Connectedness on Cognitive Functions and Perceived Stress: A Gender-Based Analysis

[{“box”:0,”content”:”n[if 992 equals=”Open Access”]n

n

n

n

Open Access

nn

n

n[/if 992]n[if 2704 equals=”Yes”]n

n

Notice

nThis is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.n

n[/if 2704]n

n

Year : 2025 [if 2224 equals=””]14/09/2025 at 2:40 PM[/if 2224] | [if 1553 equals=””] Volume : 02 [else] Volume : [/if 1553] | [if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”]Issue : [/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”]Special Issue[/if 424] [if 424 equals=”Conference”][/if 424] 02 | Page :

n

n

nn

n

n

n

    By

    n

    [foreach 286]n

    n

    Manya Shukla, Smriti Sethi,

    n t

  • n

    n[/foreach]

    n

n[if 2099 not_equal=”Yes”]n

    [foreach 286] [if 1175 not_equal=””]n t

  1. Student, Assistant Professor, Department of Applied Psychology, Amity University (AIPS), Noida, Department of Applied Psychology, Amity University (AIPS), Noida, Uttar Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, India, India

    2. n[/if 1175][/foreach]

n[/if 2099][if 2099 equals=”Yes”][/if 2099]n

n

Abstract

n

n

nIn today’s fast-paced world, young adults face increasing cognitive demands and heightened stress levels due to academic, professional, and social pressures. At the same time, modern lifestyles have led to a decline in meaningful interactions with nature, which may impact both cognitive function and stress management. The present study, entitled “The Effect of Nature Connectedness on Cognitive Functions and Perceived Stress: A Gender-Based Analysis,” aimed to explore the effects of nature connectedness on perceived stress, and cognitive functions while examining gender differences. A sample of 100 participants (50 males and 50 females) completed the Nature Connectedness Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and a cognitive function assessment. The findings revealed significant gender differences, with females reporting higher levels of nature connectedness (M = 51.26, SD = 5.50) and better cognitive functions (M = 48.32, SD = 16.87) compared to males (M = 48.92, SD = 7.36 and M = 41.70, SD = 13.99, respectively). Contrary to expectations, the relationship between nature connectedness and cognitive functions was weak and negative for both genders, reaching statistical significance only among females (r = -.279, p < .05). Additionally, a weak but significant negative correlation between nature connectedness and perceived stress was found among females (r = -.272, p < .05), while no significant relationship was observed in males. Regression analysis indicated that nature connectedness was a significant predictor of cognitive function in females (B = -0.857, p = .050, R² = 0.078) but did not predict perceived stress in either gender. These findings suggest that while females exhibit greater nature connectedness and cognitive performance, the anticipated positive relationship between nature connectedness and cognitive functions is not supported. The study highlights gender-specific patterns in how nature connectedness influences psychological outcomes and underscores the need for future research to explore additional variables and longitudinal designs to fully understand these complex relationships.nn

n

n

n

Keywords: Nature connectedness, cognitive functions, perceived stress, gender differences, psychological outcomes

n[if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”][This article belongs to International Journal of Education Sciences ]

n

[/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”][This article belongs to Special Issue under section in International Journal of Education Sciences (ijes)][/if 424][if 424 equals=”Conference”]This article belongs to Conference [/if 424]

n

n

n

How to cite this article:
nManya Shukla, Smriti Sethi. [if 2584 equals=”][226 wpautop=0 striphtml=1][else]The Effect of Nature Connectedness on Cognitive Functions and Perceived Stress: A Gender-Based Analysis[/if 2584]. International Journal of Education Sciences. 14/08/2025; 02(02):-.

n

How to cite this URL:
nManya Shukla, Smriti Sethi. [if 2584 equals=”][226 striphtml=1][else]The Effect of Nature Connectedness on Cognitive Functions and Perceived Stress: A Gender-Based Analysis[/if 2584]. International Journal of Education Sciences. 14/08/2025; 02(02):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/ijes/article=14/08/2025/view=0

nn

n

n[if 992 equals=”Open Access”]Full Text PDF[/if 992]n

n

n[if 992 not_equal=”Open Access”]n

n

n[/if 992]n

nn

n nn

n[if 379 not_equal=””]nn

Browse Figures

n

n

n[foreach 379]

figures

[/foreach]n

n

n

n[/if 379]

n

n

n

n

n

References n

n[if 1104 equals=””]n

1. Baceviciene, M., & Jankauskiene, R. (2022). The mediating effect of nature restorativeness, stress level, and nature connectedness in the association between nature exposure and quality of life. International journal of environmental research and public health, 19(4), 2098.
2. Banjongrewadee, M., Wongpakaran, N., Wongpakaran, T., Pipanmekaporn, T., Punjasawadwong, Y., & Mueankwan, S. (2020). The role of perceived stress and cognitive function on the relationship between neuroticism and depression among the elderly: a structural equation model approach. BMC psychiatry, 20, 1-8.
3. D’Amico, D., Huang, V., & Fiocco, A. J. (2021). Examining the moderating role of a Mediterranean diet in the relationship between perceived stress and cognitive function in older adults. The Journals of Gerontology: Series B, 76(3), 435-443.
4. Ding, X., Chen, H., Kan, H., Zhu, M., Wang, Q., Xia, X., … & Li, Z. (2025). Perceived stress and cognitive function in breast cancer chemotherapy patients: A latent profile analysis. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 102867.
5. Jindal, S., & Bodnar, S. (2025). ‘Brain Fog’: Exploring Associations with Stress, Connectedness to Nature, and Mindfulness.
6. Mason, L., Ronconi, A., Scrimin, S., & Pazzaglia, F. (2022). Short-term exposure to nature and benefits for students’ cognitive performance: A review. Educational Psychology Review, 34(2), 609-647.
7. Oshri, A., Cui, Z., Carvalho, C., & Liu, S. (2022). Is perceived stress linked to enhanced cognitive functioning and reduced risk for psychopathology? Testing the hormesis hypothesis. Psychiatry Research, 314, 114644.
8. Wullenkord, M. C., Johansson, M., Loy, L. S., Menzel, C., & Reese, G. (2024). Go out or stress out? Exploring nature connectedness and cumulative stressors as resilience and vulnerability factors in different manifestations of climate anxiety. Journal of Environmental Psychology, 95, 102278.
9. Zhai L, Lee JE. Investigating vulnerability, adaptation, and resilience: a comprehensive review within the context of climate change. Atmosphere. 2024 Apr 11;15(4):474.
10. Kim H, Marcouiller DW, Woosnam KM. Rescaling social dynamics in climate change: The implications of cumulative exposure, climate justice, and community resilience. Geoforum. 2018 Nov 1;96:129-40.

nn[/if 1104][if 1104 not_equal=””]n

    [foreach 1102]n t

  1. [if 1106 equals=””], [/if 1106][if 1106 not_equal=””],[/if 1106]

    2. n[/foreach]

n[/if 1104]

n

nn[if 1114 equals=”Yes”]n

n[/if 1114]

n

n

[if 424 not_equal=””][else]Ahead of Print[/if 424] Subscription Original Research

n

n

[if 2146 equals=”Yes”][/if 2146][if 2146 not_equal=”Yes”][/if 2146]n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n

n[if 1748 not_equal=””]

[else]

[/if 1748]n

n[if 1746 equals=”Retracted”]n

n

n

n

[/if 1746]n[if 4734 not_equal=””]

n

n

n

[/if 4734]n

n

Volume 02
[if 424 equals=”Regular Issue”]Issue[/if 424][if 424 equals=”Special Issue”]Special Issue[/if 424] [if 424 equals=”Conference”][/if 424] 02
Received 19/05/2025
Accepted 21/06/2025
Published 14/08/2025
Retracted
Publication Time 87 Days

n

n

65

nn

n

Login

n
My IP
n

PlumX Metrics

nn

n

n

n[if 1746 equals=”Retracted”]n

[/if 1746]nnn

nnn”}]