Data from: Why we need more nature at work: effects of natural elements and sunlight on employee mental health and work attitudes

This study investigated the effects of natural elements and direct and indirect sunlight exposure on employee mental health and work attitudes. We recruited participants via an online panel from the United States and India, and analyzed data from 444 employees. Natural elements and sunlight exposure related positively to job satisfaction and organizational commitment, and negatively to depressed mood and anxiety. Direct sunlight was a dominant predictor of anxiety; indirect sunlight was a dominant predictor of depressed mood, job satisfaction, and organizational commitment. Natural elements buffered the relationship between role stressors and job satisfaction, depressed mood, and anxiety. We also found that depressed mood partially mediated the relationship between natural elements and job satisfaction. We discuss scientific and policy implications of these findings.

本研究考察了自然元素、直接与间接日光照射对员工心理健康及工作态度的影响。我们通过在线调研面板（online panel）从美国与印度招募受试者，并对444名员工的数据展开了分析。研究结果表明，自然元素与日光照射与工作满意度、组织承诺呈正相关，与抑郁情绪、焦虑情绪呈负相关。直接日光是焦虑情绪的主导预测因子；间接日光则是抑郁情绪、工作满意度与组织承诺的主导预测因子。自然元素可缓冲角色压力源与工作满意度、抑郁情绪及焦虑情绪之间的关联。本研究还发现，抑郁情绪在自然元素与工作满意度的关系中发挥了部分中介作用。本研究最后讨论了上述研究发现的科学意义与政策启示。