Outdoor activity participation improves adolescents’ mental health and well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping human interactions with the natural environment, generating profound consequences for health and well-being. To assess the effects of COVID-19 on the outdoor recreation participation and well-being of adolescents we conducted a nationally representative survey of youth ages 10-18 across the United States (n = 624) using a Qualtrics XM panel between April 30 and June 15, 2020. Survey questions focused on frequency of participation in several types of outdoor activities before and during the pandemic. Activity categories included outdoor play activities (e.g., running, biking), nature-based activities (e.g., camping, fishing), and spending outdoor time with family. We assessed changes in the psychological health of youth using a four-item subjective well-being scale validated by the World Health Organization. Paired t-tests revealed significant decreases in both outdoor recreation participation (64% of youth reported declines) and subjective well-being (...