Nature Photography for Mental Well-Being and Nature Connectedness in Young Adults

This is a three‐arm randomized controlled trial examining whether nature‐basedphotography improves mental well‐being and nature connectedness among young adults withmild emotional distress. Participants are randomized to a nature photographyintervention, an active control completing human‐made object photography, or a controlgroup receiving a stress management handbook. The intervention runs for 16 days andcomprises eight structured photography sessions. The primary outcomes are depression(PHQ‐9) and anxiety (GAD‐7) symptoms at post‐intervention. Secondary outcomes includenature connectedness, self‐compassion, positive and negative affect, meaning in life, andlife satisfaction, assessed at baseline, mid‐intervention, post‐intervention, andone‐month follow‐up. Changes in self‐compassion, mindfulness, and nature connectednessare examined as hypothesized mechanisms of the intervention effect.