This article explores the relationship between contact with nature in childhood and adult personality. An international sample of 783 participants from 42 countries reported on their frequency of contact with specific natural environments in childhood and adulthood, and completed measures of adult personality and sociodemographic details. Multivariate regression, canonical correlations, and least-squares path analyses were employed to identify relationships between variables. Contact with nature in childhood predicted higher Openness and lower Neuroticism. In particular, more frequent contact with forest environments in childhood was
correlated with facets of Openness (Creative Imagination, Intellectual Curiosity) and Neuroticism (Anxiety, Depression). Mediation analyses indicated that engaging in contact with nature in childhood may represent a learned emotional regulation strategy that results in lower Neuroticism when continued in adulthood, while natural environments may be an ideal environment for creative play in childhood that predicts higher Openness in adulthood. This study makes a contribution to the field by describing the impact, and possible mechanisms, of
contact with natural environments in childhood on adult interpersonal behaviours, which may assist in the design of environments that are best suited for restoration and play.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notes <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n “In response to the first hypothesis, the study found that the frequency of contact with nature in
childhood predicted adult personality, including Neuroticism and
Openness, even after controlling for standard demographic variables. In
response to the second hypothesis, it was found that the frequency of
contact with temperate forest environments in particular, predicted
lower Anxiety and Emotional Volatility, as well as higher Intellectual<\/strong>
Curiosity and Creative Imagination.<\/strong> In response to the final hypothesis,
the study found that contact with temperate forest environments in
childhood predicted facets of Neuroticism indirectly through adult
contact with the same environments, while facets of Openness were
predicted directly.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n