Wong Ka-Po, Wu Sikai, Lin Haoneng, Poon Kean, Zhang Bohan, Qin Jing
Department of Applied Social Sciences, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Centre for Smart Health, School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Apr 14;13(8):895. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13080895.
This investigation examines the phenomenological dimensions of young adults' engagement with virtual natural environments for psychological stress amelioration through rigorous thematic analysis. Contemporary epidemiological data reveal a concerning prevalence of stress among young adults aged 18 to 29 years, with approximately 30% reporting moderate to severe manifestations. Despite virtual reality (VR)'s emergence as a promising modality for mental well-being interventions, a significant lacuna exists regarding the qualitative understanding of these immersive experiences. : Through semi-structured interviews with 35 young adults following a four-week VR nature intervention, we constructed a conceptual framework comprising five interconnected strata: intervention, experience, process, context, and outcome. : Our analysis illuminated intricate bidirectional relationships among sensory elements, emotional responses, immersion depth, interactive affordances, post-session effects, psychological development, implementation challenges, individual variability, and comparative efficacy. The findings demonstrate congruence with both Attention Restoration Theory and Stress Recovery Theory while necessitating consideration of technology-specific mediators. Notably, the identified "stress barrier" phenomenon temporarily inhibited intrusive cognitions, suggesting promising therapeutic mechanisms. Pronounced heterogeneity in environmental preferences and psychophysiological responsiveness underscores the imperative for personalized implementation strategies. : These insights provide substantive guidance for VR nature applications across therapeutic, occupational, and educational domains, potentially augmenting our repertoire for addressing stress-related sequelae in contemporary society.
本调查通过严谨的主题分析，考察了年轻人参与虚拟自然环境以缓解心理压力的现象学维度。当代流行病学数据显示，18至29岁的年轻人中压力患病率令人担忧，约30%的人报告有中度至重度症状。尽管虚拟现实（VR）已成为心理健康干预的一种有前景的方式，但对于这些沉浸式体验的定性理解仍存在重大空白。通过对35名年轻人进行为期四周的VR自然干预后进行半结构化访谈，我们构建了一个由五个相互关联的层次组成的概念框架：干预、体验、过程、背景和结果。我们的分析揭示了感官元素、情绪反应、沉浸深度、交互功能、课后效果、心理发展、实施挑战、个体差异和比较疗效之间复杂的双向关系。研究结果表明与注意力恢复理论和压力恢复理论一致，同时需要考虑特定技术的调节因素。值得注意的是，所确定的“压力障碍”现象暂时抑制了侵入性认知，提示了有前景的治疗机制。环境偏好和心理生理反应的显著异质性强调了个性化实施策略的必要性。这些见解为VR自然应用在治疗、职业和教育领域提供了实质性指导，可能会增加我们应对当代社会压力相关后遗症的方法。
