Nature relatedness refers to individual differences in subjective connectedness with
the natural environment. We aimed to cross-culturally validate the Nature Relatedness
scale and examine links between nature relatedness and wellbeing. We also tested whether
spirituality or self-transcendent emotions such as gratitude mediate the relationship
between nature relatedness and wellbeing. University student participants (N = 798)
from four countries (Hungary, India, South Korea, and Canada) completed the short-form
Nature Relatedness scale (NR-6; Nisbet & Zelenski, 2013), the Inclusion of Nature
in Self scale (Schultz, 2002a), and measures of hedonic and eudaimonic wellbeing.
Cross-cultural differences were found in a number of nature relatedness principal
components, as well as differences in links between nature relatedness, spirituality,
and wellbeing. In all four countries, gratitude formed a significant indirect path
from nature relatedness to mental health and quality of life. The findings suggest
that spiritual aspects of human-nature relationships may contribute to wellbeing across
cultures.
