Nature-based activities and the health of cancer survivors
Kotagedara Liyanage, Piyumi Madushani Perera
This item is only available for download by members of the University of Illinois community. Students, faculty, and staff at the U of I may log in with your NetID and password to view the item. If you are trying to access an Illinois-restricted dissertation or thesis, you can request a copy through your library's Inter-Library Loan office or purchase a copy directly from ProQuest.
Permalink
https://hdl.handle.net/2142/132692
Description
Title
Nature-based activities and the health of cancer survivors
Author(s)
Kotagedara Liyanage, Piyumi Madushani Perera
Issue Date
2025-12-12
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Payne, Laura
Committee Member(s)
Fernandez, Mariela
Department of Study
Recreation, Sport and Tourism
Discipline
Recreation, Sport, and Tourism
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Mental Health
Cancer Survivors
Nature Based Activities
Abstract
Cancer survivorship in the United States continues to grow, with 22.5 million survivors projected by 2032. Despite improved survival rates, cancer survivors often experience persistent physical and psychological challenges. Nature-based interventions have gained attention as accessible, low-cost complementary approaches to support survivor well-being, yet limited research examines unstructured nature activities and mental health outcomes in this population. This study explored the influence of unstructured nature-based leisure activities on the mental health of 98 cancer survivors who completed self-report measures assessing stress (PSS-10), anxiety (GAD-7), fatigue, pain, sleep problems, general health, and subjective well-being, along with their engagement in 14 nature-based activities. Participants experienced moderate to elevated stress (M = 25.23) and anxiety (M = 18.12). Walking was the most commonly reported activity, followed by taking photos and observing flowers and plants. One-way ANOVA results revealed no significant differences between active and passive nature activities in their associations with mental health outcomes, suggesting that activity type may be less important than nature exposure itself. Correlation analyses showed bird watching was significantly associated with lower stress (r = -.200, p = .048) and higher flourishing (r = .240, p = .018), while observing flowers, plants, and animals correlated with flourishing (r = .220, p = .030). Unexpectedly, walking duration positively correlated with stress (r = .203, p = .045), possibly reflecting participants' elevated fatigue and fair to poor general health. Findings suggest that nature-based activities, regardless of type or intensity, may support cancer survivors' well-being.
Use this login method if you
don't
have an
@illinois.edu
email address.
(Oops, I do have one)
IDEALS migrated to a new platform on June 23, 2022. If you created
your account prior to this date, you will have to reset your password
using the forgot-password link below.
