Exploring biophilia : the influence of childhood experiences on connectedness to nature in adulthood

Abstract

It is a well-known fact that the natural environments of our planet have been subject to large-scale negative anthropogenic impacts, particularly during the last fifty or so years. Our disregard for nature may stem from a lack of connection with it or from a lack of 'love' for it, the latter known as biophilia. The early years of a person's life are crucial to the development of nature connectedness. Olivos et al. (2011) define this connection as "the relationship of the self with the natural environment" (p. 5). Various studies have been carried out in order to gain understanding how to nurture and enhance this sense of oneness with nature, although none locally. The main aim of this dissertation is to try and establish how connected the Maltese and Gozitan population is to nature, and which childhood experiences have an impact on relatedness to nature later on in adulthood. Such insight would aid in creating effective strategies to enhance the Maltese and Gozitans' feelings of oneness with nature. Data was collected by means of questionnaires which were later analysed with an SPSS software package. The questionnaires consisted of Mayer and Frantz's (2004) Connectedness to nature scale and a set of retrospective questions focusing on the individual's childhood. Results indicate that the Maltese and Gozitan population has a fairly strong connection to nature, with the mean score of 38.32 out of a 0 to 56 scale range. The three most significant factors which contribute to a connection with nature during childhood are: (i) going for walks or hikes and playing in the country side or in an area of natural environment; (ii) planting trees, seeds or plants; and (iii) taking care of indoor or outdoor plants. Having pets at a young age (less than 11 years old) also resulted to be a very significant factor in enriching connection to nature. The concept behind this study was to explore which childhood experiences translate into adult connection to nature. Fostering a connection with nature in children might lead to a generation of environmentally aware policy makers, consumers, government officials and adults in general and should therefore be a priority concern.