Skip to main content
OpenTrials
Not yet recruiting

NCT Number: NCT07803367

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

This study tests whether a nature photography intervention can improve mental well-being and nature connectedness in young adults with mild emotional distress, and examines self-compassion as a key mechanism in this process. Participants are randomized to a nature photography group, a human-made object photography group , or a group receiving a stress management handbook. Eight photography tasks are delivered through a mobile platform. Outcomes are assessed at baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention, and follow-up.

Not yet recruiting

Trial opening soon.

Get Notified

Key information

Conditions

Psychological Distress Anxiety Disorders Anxiety Symptoms Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression Depressive Symptoms Mental Disorders Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being

Age range

18 year–30 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

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

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • 1.PHQ-9 score ≥ 5 or GAD-7 score ≥ 5 (presence of mild or greater emotional distress).

Exclusion criteria

  • 1.PHQ-9 score ≥20 or GAD-7 score ≥15 (severe depressive or anxiety symptoms). 2.Currently receiving psychological counseling or psychiatric treatment.

Treatment and study plan

Nature-Based Mindful Photography

Behavioral

Photography Participants complete an 8-session, 16-day nature-based photography intervention delivered through a WeChat mini-program (one session every two days). Each session includes a guided photography theme focused on natural elements, mindfulness and self-compassion prompts, and expressive writing, followed by optional peer support (viewing, liking, and commenting on group members' photographs) and personalized AI-assisted supportive feedback at the end of the session. The intervention is designed to improve mental well-being and strengthen nature connectedness through structured engagement with natural environments.

Human-Made Object Photography

Behavioral

Participants complete an 8-session, 16-day photography intervention delivered through a WeChat mini-program, matched to the intervention group on schedule and task structure, but photographing everyday human-made objects (e.g., study tools, architectural details, furniture). Each session includes expressive writing; no nature-focused prompts, peer interaction, or AI-assisted feedback are provided. This condition controls for photography behavior, app engagement, and task contact without the nature exposure or self-compassion components.

Self-Guided Digital Stress Management Handbook

Behavioral

Participants receive a self-guided digital stress management handbook over the 16-day intervention period, covering five structured modules: recognition of physical and emotional stress signals; structured energy and time management (goal decomposition, pomodoro technique, priority matrix); establishing healthy lifestyle routines (sleep hygiene, regular exercise, balanced diet); building interpersonal support networks; and accessing professional help and campus mental health resources. Participants read the handbook at their own pace without photography tasks or interactive components. This condition serves as an active comparator controlling for contact time and expectancy while excluding nature exposure and mindfulness-based self-compassion components.

Primary outcomes

  1. Depressive Symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-intervention (T2, Day 16), and 1-month Follow-up (T3).

    Depressive Symptoms Change in depressive symptoms measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

  2. Anxiety Symptoms

    Time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-intervention (T2, Day 16), and 1-month Follow-up (T3).

    Change in anxiety symptoms measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7).

Secondary outcomes

  1. Nature Connectedness

    Time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-intervention (T2, Day 16), and 1-month Follow-up (T3).

    Change in connection with the natural environment measured by the Nature Connectedness Scale.

  2. Self-Compassion

    Time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-intervention (T2, Day 16), and 1-month Follow-up (T3).

    Change in self-compassion measured by the Self-Compassion Scale (SCS).

  3. Positive and Negative Affect

    Time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-intervention (T2, Day 16), and 1-month Follow-up (T3)

    Change in emotional states measured by the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS).

  4. Meaning in Life

    Time frame: Baseline (T0), Post-intervention (T2, Day 16), and 1-month Follow-up (T3).

    Change in perceived meaning and purpose in life measured by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ).

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Xue Weng

CONTACT

[email protected]

(86)0756-3683259

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Beijing Normal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Nature Photography for Mental Well-Being and Nature Connectedness in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2027
First posted
Sep 3, 2026
Registry last updated
Sep 3, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

Related clinical trials

Published trials that share one or more normalized conditions with this study.