Date of Award

5-2026

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

School

Psychology

Committee Chair

Eric Dahlen

Committee Chair School

Psychology

Committee Member 2

Austen Anderson

Committee Member 2 School

Psychology

Committee Member 3

Bonnie Nicholson

Committee Member 3 School

Psychology

Abstract

Humanity's relationship with the natural environment impacts various aspects of health and well-being. This study examined whether engagement with nature moderates the adverse effects of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on psychological health. ACEs, which include experiences such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, affect a substantial portion of the population and are linked to long-term psychological difficulties. Previous research has identified numerous benefits of nature engagement, including stress reduction, cognitive restoration, and improved emotional well-being. The present study explored time in nature and nature connection as potential protective factors against the psychological impacts of ACEs, using data from two cross-sectional samples (n=515 and 539): undergraduate students and a general adult population. Structural equation modeling was used to test relationships between ACEs, psychological distress, and flourishing, while examining moderating effects of nature engagement and considering covariates such as age, race, income, and education. As expected, higher ACEs were associated with greater psychological distress and lower flourishing, with maltreatment showing especially consistent effects across both samples. Nature engagement was linked to better psychological outcomes, though patterns varied by population: time in nature was more salient in the undergraduate sample, while nature connection was more consistently predictive in the general population. No significant moderating effects were found, which suggests that impacts regarding nature engagement do not vary by ACEs. These findings highlight the nuanced ways in which nature may support psychological resilience and inform future therapeutic approaches.

ORCID ID

0009-0003-7404-7549

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Available for download on Tuesday, December 01, 2026

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