Media Releases
Dr Denise Dillon| From Green Spaces to Mental Spaces: Promoting Wellness Through Nature-Based Research
Research Output and Activities
My research portfolio intersects diverse fields, from environmental health and public policy to education and psychology, ultimately benefiting community well-being, mental health support, and advocacy for inclusive, nature-friendly spaces and practices. Members of my research network include dozens of students, now graduates, who have benefitted from training in a variety of research methods, including both field-based and lab-based data collection and online surveys. Our research has yielded extensive insights into the links between green spaces and mental health, emphasizing the role of natural environments in stress reduction and emotional well-being. By actively engaging with public health communities and parent groups, we’ve shared our findings at key forums to encourage practical applications of nature-based solutions for mental resilience.
Dr Denise presented a public lecture on Environmental Psychology to end off JCU Environment Week. Research indicates that cognitive attention processes can be restored through natural environment scenes. This lecture raised Singapore as a case study of a high-density urban area that retains components of biophilic design, which links to Edward O. Wilson’s biophilia hypothesis, that humans have an “innate tendency to focus on life and life-like processes”. Experts comprising representatives from Nature Society, SPARK Architects and Herpetological Society of Singapore gave their comments about the research.
"Thank you for speaking at the webinar on Managing Climate Anxiety and Building Climate Resilience on 29th September 2023. I was watching the recording again two days ago and really appreciate the insights that were shared."
Climate Conversations Singapore: [for SG parents] Developing a Love for Nature in times of Climate Crisis
Advancement of Knowledge
Our work on nature immersion, including practical guides and community gardening, underscores the value of nature for stress relief and well-being. These insights benefit community groups, wellness practitioners, and environmental organizations by providing evidence-based recommendations for promoting nature as a tool for psychological resilience and health. The practical guides and initiatives on nature immersion have brought evidence-based strategies to wellness groups, environmental advocates, and urban planners. I’ve been consulted for expert opinion on negative emotions associated with climate change and participated in an upcoming documentary series, Climate Culture, that captures perspectives across Southeast Asia and Australia, underscoring cultural and environmental synergies that promote resilience and well-being in tropical urban settings.
"We are set to film our new documentary series Climate Culture in July. For Season 1, we are bringing together experts in Singapore, Vietnam and Australia to offer their knowledge and insights from their respective fields on how we can leverage design, technology and cultural elements that improves health and well being in a tropical/subtropical climate. We are eager to learn from you about the impacts that the disconnection between humans and nature has on people as well as the psychological benefits to reintroducing biophilic design to cities."
Beau Frith, Managing Director, naturalcoolair.com.au
"For a growing number of children across the globe, the future is looking pretty scary. Rising sea levels, floods that consume towns and cities, baking heatwaves, vanishing wildlife and plastic pollution are making them feel increasingly anxious, according to researchers. Climate change is a major source of that worry. “Negative emotions stemming from or associated with the anticipation of climate change is often, but not always, labelled as eco-anxiety,” said Dr Denise Dillon, associate professor of psychology at James Cook University, Singapore. “Other terms are ecophobia, eco-despair and environmental grief. Worry, guilt and hopelessness are negative emotions that are felt along with grief, anger and despair.”
Climate of fear: Extreme weather events take a toll on mental health |
The Straits Times
Implementation
Through our stereotype content model for nonhuman animals, we offered a framework that categorizes how humans view animals (e.g., as friends or threats). Our stereotype content model for animals redefines human-animal relationships, encouraging more nuanced perspectives in education, advocacy, and environmental psychology. This model supports a respectful approach towards animal welfare that aligns with modern social psychology, promoting greater empathy in human-animal interactions. In our work on the language used to refer to nonhuman animals, particularly the use of "who" rather than "which," we contribute to more inclusive and empathetic practices in applied linguistics. This has potential benefits for language educators, encouraging a shift towards respecting animals' sentience and fostering a more compassionate worldview in students.
Policy, Standards and Practice
Our research on the impact of green spaces informs urban policies aimed at creating healthier, more sustainable cityscapes. By highlighting mental health benefits and the need for accessible green spaces, our work provides a foundation for policies prioritizing green spaces for both human and ecological well-being, benefiting urban communities and enhancing quality of life in densely populated areas.
"We’re looking forward to seeing you at the workshop for this Wellcome Trust research project. The purpose of this workshop is to bring together leading researchers, academia, funders and researchers for a facilitated discussion to explore the topic of digital equity, with a particular focus on its application in the context of Climate and Health… Outputs of the workshop will inform the development of Wellcome Trust’s strategic priorities in this field."
Community Benefit
Research on attention restoration through nature imagery and immersive VR environments has implications for the fields of mental health and cognitive well-being. By exploring how virtual and physical green spaces can aid attention and stress recovery, our work suggests practical applications for schools, workplaces, and healthcare facilities looking to integrate natural elements for cognitive recovery. My practice as a forest therapy guide enables and enriches nature immersion experiences and facilitates meaningful connections with nature. We demonstrated this directly in a study comparing the efficacy of guided versus unguided nature immersion, upon three dependent variables of mood, nature connectedness and heartrate. Participants of the guided forest therapy reported feeling more appreciation for nature and feeling calmer within themselves after the nature immersion.
"I feel like my pace of breath has changed. Also, I've developed an appreciation of how we impact the environment. I feel more determined to do something to maintain the natural environment.
I feel like I have a different perspective about nature, and I'll try to observe the things around me a bit more carefully and think about how they relate to me.
I felt more attuned to nature. I've learnt to be more appreciative of nature and be more grateful of what I have. I have become aware of the technique of 'forest bathing'.
I get the idea that I can relax whenever I am stressed through just finding a quiet nature spot, doing nothing, just observing the environment. It's so calming and touching. I don’t know why I cried today but it's relaxing.
I am really stressed at work and this is a relaxed moment for me."
Publications
Dillon, D., Jacobs, G.M., & Chau, M. H. (2024). Towards more inclusive practices in applied linguistics: A study of journal editors’ views on using ‘who’ with nonhuman animals with implications for language education. Journal of English and Applied Linguistics, 3(1), Article 9. https://doi.org/10.59588/2961-3094.1098
Dillon D., Lee S.T.H., & Tai E.W.L. (2024). Flourishing or Frightening? Feelings about natural and built green spaces in Singapore. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 21(3),347. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21030347
Dillon, D., & Lee, S.T.H. (2023). Green spaces as healthy places: Correlates of urban green space use in Singapore. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 20, 6711. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20176711
Yap, T., Dillon, D., & Chew, P. K. H. (2022). The impact of nature imagery and mystery on attention restoration. J, 5, 478-499. https://doi.org/10.3390/j5040033
Patinadan, P., & Dillon, D. (2022). Friends, food or worth fighting for? A proposed stereotype content model for nonhuman animals. Human-Animal Interactions. https://doi.org/10.1079/hai.2022.0023
Dillon, D. & Cai, J. (2022). Virtual reality greenspaces: Does level of immersion affect directed attention restoration in VR environments? J, 5(3), 334-357. https://doi.org/10.3390/j5030023
Dillon, D. (2021). Bathing in the benefits of nature immersion. In T. Guttensohn & K. P. Leong (Eds.). Pang Sua Woodland. Sanctuary Unveiled Along the Rail Corridor. Singapore: Cicada Tree Eco-Place & Nature Society (Singapore).
Koay, W. I. & Dillon, D. (2020). Community gardening: Stress, well-being and resilience potentials. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17(18), 6740; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17186740
Lim, P. Y., Dillon, D., & Chew, P. K. H. (2020). A guide to nature immersion: Psychological and physiological benefits. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17(16), 5989; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17165989