Michaelson Valerie, King Nathan, Janssen Ian, Lawal Sabreena, Pickett William
Department of Health Sciences, Brock University, St. Catharines, ON, Canada.
Department of Public Health Sciences, Queen's University, Kingston, ON, Canada.
Can J Public Health. 2020 Aug;111(4):502-514. doi: 10.17269/s41997-019-00289-y. Epub 2020 Feb 5.
Declines in exposure to nature may deprive young people of experiences that are positive for their mental health. One factor that may interfere with connections to nature is use of electronic screen technologies. The objectives of this study are to (1) document variations in the perceived importance of connections to nature nationally among adolescents; (2) explore relationships between these connections and the use of electronic screens, both epidemiologically and qualitatively; and (3) integrate core findings from both strands in order to provide evidence-based recommendations for health promotion.
The study involved a mixed methods design. Strand 1 involved a qualitative study of 74 Canadians (ages 10-18, years 2016-2018) with data collected through focus groups and interviews. Strand 2 involved a cross-sectional observational analysis of a national survey of 23,920 Canadians (ages 11-15, years 2013-2014). Findings from both strands were integrated through an established protocol.
Increased use of electronic screen technology was consistently associated with lower perceived importance of connections to nature. Barriers to connecting to nature included choices that young people are making, the addictive properties of technology, and beliefs that being indoors is more comfortable and safer than being outdoors. When young people disconnected, their appreciation of being outdoors increased.
This novel study showed, quantitatively, that the time young people spend with electronic screens displaces time that they spend engaging in outdoor activities. Deeper reasons why such associations occur emerged in the qualitative strand. Temporary disconnection from screens may lead to renewed opportunities for outdoor exposures.
与自然接触的减少可能会使年轻人失去对其心理健康有益的体验。可能干扰与自然建立联系的一个因素是电子屏幕技术的使用。本研究的目的是：（1）记录全国青少年对与自然建立联系的感知重要性的差异；（2）从流行病学和定性角度探索这些联系与电子屏幕使用之间的关系；（3）整合两方面的核心发现，以便为健康促进提供循证建议。
本研究采用混合方法设计。第一部分是对74名加拿大人（年龄在10 - 18岁，时间为2016 - 2018年）进行的定性研究，通过焦点小组和访谈收集数据。第二部分是对23,920名加拿大人（年龄在11 - 15岁，时间为2013 - 2014年）的全国性调查进行横断面观察分析。两部分的研究结果通过既定方案进行整合。
电子屏幕技术使用的增加一直与对与自然建立联系的感知重要性降低相关。与自然建立联系的障碍包括年轻人所做的选择、技术的成瘾性，以及认为室内比室外更舒适和更安全的观念。当年轻人与外界断开联系时，他们对户外活动的喜爱会增加。
这项新颖的研究定量地表明，年轻人花在电子屏幕上的时间取代了他们用于户外活动的时间。在定性研究部分揭示了这种关联出现的更深层次原因。暂时与屏幕断开联系可能会带来新的户外接触机会。
