Integrated nature connectedness framework: Development, validation and uses

In an era of global crises, there is a tendency to focus on technical solutions targeting the symptoms of our damaged relationship with nature. However, the root cause of many environmental challenges lies in people’s disconnection from nature, particularly pronounced in increasingly urbanized and digitalized society. This disconnection from the natural world not only exacerbates environmental issues but also deteriorates individual wellbeing and health. Adolescence emerges as a critical period in this context, as it is when attitudes and behaviours begin to be shaped. However, it’s also the time when measures of connection to nature drops to their lowest in one’s life: Studies across different countries consistently show a sharp decline in nature connectedness during adolescence. While schools play a crucial role in developing meaningful connections with nature through environmental education programs, research on their effectiveness shows mixed results. The inconsistencies in research findings need for an improved framework and nuanced understanding of the factors to capture the complex interconnected dimensions that shows an individual’s relationship with nature, particularly in the context of the unique experiences and perspectives of younger generations growing up in a rapidly changing, technology-driven world. To address this gap, we propose the Integrated Nature Connectedness Framework (INCF), which synthesises insights from diverse theoretical and empirical literature to identify the key concepts, such as the definition of the contested term ‘nature’, dimensions, and drivers of nature connectedness. The INCF is expected to serve as a foundation for the creation of instruments that can measure adolescents’ nature connectedness, taking into account of specific challenges and opportunities presented by the digital age. Through the application of this framework in metropolitan Australian Schools, we hope to contribute to improvements in evaluation of the effectiveness of interventions intended to bridge the gap between adolescents and the natural world, ultimately fostering a more sustainable and harmonious relationship between humanity and the environment.