Connectedness to Nature and Professional Quality of Life Among Nurses in South Korea in the Context of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: Clinical nurses are consistently exposed to high levels of occupational stress, which can undermine their professional quality of life, resulting in burnout, reduced compassion satisfaction, and psychological exhaustion. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, resilience has emerged as a critical protective factor in helping nurses manage these stressors. Moreover, connectedness to nature has gained recognition as a potential influence on enhancing nurses’ professional quality of life. Purpose: Drawing on Nature-Based Biopsychosocial Resilience Theory and General Systems Theory, this research investigates how connectedness to nature influences nurses’ Professional Quality of Life, exploring the mediating role of psychological resilience. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among clinical nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Path analysis examined direct and indirect relationships among connectedness to nature, psychological resilience, and three components of professional quality of life: compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. Results: Connectedness to nature was significantly associated with higher compassion satisfaction and lower burnout. Psychological resilience partially mediated these relationships, indicating that while connectedness to nature may offer immediate stress-buffering benefits, it also contributes to the development of resilience, a critical long-term protective resource. No significant effects were observed for secondary traumatic stress. Conclusions: The findings suggest that connectedness to nature serves as a potent, nature-based avenue for strengthening nurses’ psychological capital and elevating critical components of their professional quality of life. This underscores the compelling rationale for integrating nature-based strategies into healthcare environments to proactively foster the emotional well-being and long-term sustainability of frontline nurses