3.1. Effects of the interventions on the participants' psychological and physiological stress over time
PHYSIOLOGICAL STRESS
It was hypothesized that participants in the virtual nature-based interventions would show improved psychological and physiological stress compared to the baseline. A paired Between-subject and within-subjects comparison of the psycho-physiological stress variables at T0, T1, and T2.T0: Baseline, T1: Week 3, T2: Week 5.p < 0.05,p < 0.01,p < 0.001.As shown in Nature connectedness in the virtual nature group and urban group from baseline to week 5. Levels of nature connectedness in the virtual nature group were higher than in the urban group in weeks 3 and 5. There was an increase in nature connectedness in weeks 3 and 5 over the baseline.Happiness in the virtual nature group and urban group from baseline, week 3 and week 5. Levels of happiness in the virtual nature group were higher than in the urban group in week 3 and week 5. There was an increase in happiness in week 3 and week 5 over baseline.Degree of relaxed, natural, and comfortable mood at baseline (T0), week 3 (T1), and week 5 (T2) in the virtual nature group and urban group. The increase in relaxed, natural mood in week 3 from the baseline in the virtual nature group reached statistical significance. Although there was a trend of increase in comfortable mood in week 3 from the baseline, that change was not statistically significant. Moreover, the levels of relaxed, natural, and comfortable mood in the virtual nature group were higher than those in the urban group in week 3. Although the differences did not reach statistical significance, there was a greater trend of a more relaxed and comfortable mood in the virtual nature group than in the urban group at the week 5.