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.

本研究探讨了自然元素、直接与间接日光暴露对员工心理健康与工作态度的影响。研究团队通过美国和印度的在线样本库招募参与者，最终分析了444名员工的有效数据。结果表明，自然元素与日光暴露与工作满意度、组织承诺呈显著正相关，与抑郁情绪、焦虑水平呈显著负相关。其中，直接日光是预测员工焦虑的主要因素；间接日光则是预测抑郁情绪、工作满意度及组织承诺的主要因素。此外，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部分中介作用。最后，我们讨论了本研究发现的科学意义与政策启示。