Research Note: Is urban nature necessary for well-being? For whom? A necessary condition analysis
Résumé
This research investigates whether nature located near urban residences is necessary for—and not only associated with—the well-being of urban populations, especially those experiencing high financial strain. A questionnaire measuring well-being and the perceived presence of different types of nature was administered to a sample of 2,500 French urban residents. Psychometric tests then necessary condition analyses (Dul, 2016) were conducted. The results show that: (1) nature is necessary for people living with high financial strain to reach high levels of well-being, but this is not the case for people experiencing low or no financial strain; (2) different types of nature (i.e., undomesticated, proximity, and domesticated nature) are necessary for urban residents with high financial strain. This suggests that the different types of nature play different, non-substitutable roles in urban dwellers’ well-being and health. These results extend prior research on the equigenic potential of urban nature.