Influence of the Belgian Coast on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Publisher: Ubiquity Press Country of Publication: England NLM ID: 0067335 Publication Model: eCollection Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2054-670X (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00332879 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Psychol Belg Subsets: PubMed not MEDLINE

Publication: 2014- : London : Ubiquity Press
Original Publication: Louvain : Société belge de psychologie.

There is increasing evidence that blue spaces, particularly coastal environments, are beneficial for well-being. During the first-wave lockdown of the COVID-19 pandemic in Belgium, access to the coast was restricted due to restraint in circulation. Making use of this unique opportunity, this study investigated whether access and visits to the coast were positively associated with well-being by using a quasi-experimental design. The emotions of awe and nostalgia were studied as potential mediators between coastal visits and well-being. A total of 687 Flemish adults took part in an online survey that was launched end of April until beginning of June 2020. After controlling for covariates, results showed that access to the coast, but not visit frequency, was positively associated with well-being. More specifically, coastal residents reported less boredom and worry, and more happiness than inland residents. Awe and nostalgia were not significantly associated with coastal visits, but awe was negatively correlated with boredom. The study suggests a potential buffer effect of residential proximity to the coast against negative psychological consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, supporting the notion that the coast has a positive impact on well-being.
Competing Interests: The authors have no competing interests to declare.
(Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s).)

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Keywords: COVID-19; awe; coast; nostalgia; well-being

Date Created: 20211008 Latest Revision: 20211009

20240628

PMC8462480

10.5334/pb.1050

34621529