The National University of Singapore recently published a study revealing that identical twins possessed a similar level of love towards nature. However, the study authors compared their findings to fraternal twins and noticed that identical twins surpassed the love of nature.
The team published their findings on various platforms, including Mail Online, where it added that the investigations analyzed the contribution of the gene to the twin’s love of nature.
How the researchers conducted the study
The authors focused on a group of participants consisting of 1,100 pairs of twins. The set of twins resided in the U.K and underwent a series of interviews during the study.
The study authors asked various questions such as the favorite scenes to visit, i.e., gardens and parks. The study also revealed that genetic factors in a huge role in shaping twins’ love for nature. For example, the participants revealed that 46% loved nature while 34% loved visits to the garden. Various factors lead to the differences between the twins and nature. However, environmental was the most crucial.
The study discovered that place of residence affected the participant’s access to nature. The ones residing in urban areas had more minor interactions with nature, thus limiting their love for it.
The genetic connection between nature and a participant’s mental health
Previous studies highlighted that spending time in natural surroundings promotes mental health. The study authors advised that every individual experienced nature differently even though in the same surrounding. The participants were separated based on several factors, including growing up in the same household.
The results only proved that genes play a significant factor in an identical twin’s love of nature developed from inside. Study authors hoped that the research proved why different reactions came to nature. The participants also revealed that their love for nature declined with age, thus assuming that they attained an extraordinary amount of the environment. One of the study authors, Richard Fuller, advised that more study authors find the link between the environment and mental health. The authors reiterated the impact of nature on a person’s mental health.
While many people have claimed that nature can improve mental health, this study now provides evidence.
