Viewing Nature-Focused Livestreams And Subjective Well-Being: A Scoping Review

Engaging with nature relates to psychosocial well-being; however, some people encounter barriers to experiencing nature. Nature-focused livestreams (NFLs) offer a relatively new pathway for engagement with the natural world, yet little is known about their association with individual well-being. This scoping review seeks to describe the state of the knowledge regarding NFLs and the well-being of adults. Searching 12 databases and one search engine in April 2022 and again in May 2023 and screening 1,645 unique potentially relevant evidence sources, the research team identified 10 articles that met inclusion criteria for population (adults over 18 years of age), concept (subjective wellbeing), and context (NFLs). Findings demonstrate emerging empirical support for the connection between viewing NFLs and subjective wellbeing. The most commonly reported outcome related to well-being was positive affect or uplifted mood (n = 7, 70%). Potential mechanisms that were identified indicated well-being was enhanced through connecting with nature or with other people. NFLs should be considered as a possible way to extend the well-being benefits of engagement with nature to individuals who are unable to leave their homes or who live in urban areas with limited access to nature.