Comparative Analysis of Emotional Connection to Natural Environment between Kenyan Urban and Rural Adolescents.

Quantifying adolescents’ emotions can be daunting. Urban teens might feel elated during an excursion to a natural environment, viewing it as a refreshing escape from their usual urban routine. In contrast, a rural teenager, born and raised in the heart of nature, may feel little enthusiasm for it. However, this adolescent might find immense joy in watching agro ecological growth and evolution, cultivating a deep emotional connection that is woven into their identity. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the intricate emotional connection to nature. It focuses on urban and rural adolescent populations in Kenya who account for a fifth of the Kenyan population, exploring how these connections reflect diverse perceptions of the natural world. The researcher chose adolescents as her sample acknowledging the mental health burden among adolescents in Sub Saharan Africa, where rapid development during this stage predisposes them to various mental health issues. Time spent in nature can alleviate problems like anxiety and depression. Previous studies in Kenya indicate that rural communities, with greater access to biodiversity, tend to exhibit stronger emotional attachment and a profound sense of belonging to their natural environment as compared to the urban residents, who often face limited access to greener spaces. In an era marked by rapid urban growth and triple planetary crisis, understanding these differing emotional connections becomes crucial. This study not only examines the variations between urban and rural adolescent populations, but also explores how these connections foster social love, solidarity, and ecological stewardship. Using a qualitative research design, the study involves interviews and questionnaires administered to high school students. The collected data will be analyzed thematically, focusing on emerging themes of emotional experiences, perceptions of nature, and expressions of social love. This study emphasizes the importance of nature-related sentiments in confronting contemporary global mental challenges.