The influence of forest characteristics on psychological well-being: an analysis based on immersive virtual reality

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of forest characteristics and seasonality on psychological well-being, based on survey data collected in real forest and administered to interviewees through immersive virtual environment. Grounded in the context of "forest bathing" and "forest therapy" research, the work explores how environmental parameters interact with individual responses and contribute to the restorative effects of forest environments. The analysis considers various forest typologies, species compositions, seasons, greenness indices, brightness levels, forest densities, and dendrometric variables. Psychological well-being was assessed using the Restorative Outcome Scale (ROS). The findings confirm the positive impact of forest environments on individual health and well-being, highlighting the significant roles of the greenness index (Vegetative Index – VEG), seasonality, and brightness in shaping ROS scores. Furthermore, statistical analyses reveal a clear seasonal modulation of VEG effects, suggesting complex, non-additive interactions among environmental factors. The study also identifies preliminary patterns indicating potential social influences on ROS responses and outlines directions for future research.