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Using nature to regulate emotions: Introducing the nature selection emotion regulation questionnaire (NS-ERQ)

Valeria Vitale et al.

Journal of Environmental Psychology2026https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.102960article
AJG 3ABDC A
Weight
0.50

Abstract

Emotion regulation (ER) takes many forms. One of the most intriguing is situation selection, which refers to selecting the situations we’re exposed to with a view to influencing our emotions. Despite its importance, surprisingly little is known about situation selection. In the present work, we examine an important form of situation selection, namely location selection – emphasizing the deliberate choice of environmental settings, with a particular focus in selecting nature experiences, to influence emotional states. To measure and explore this process, we validated a new self-report scale – the Nature Selection Emotion Regulation Questionnaire (NS-ERQ) – across three studies. In the first study (N S1 = 292), we developed the English version of the scale starting with an initial set of 20 items. The items were generated based on Russell’s Circumplex Model of Affect (1980), reflecting the four primary dimensions of affect defined by valence and arousal. Exploratory factor analysis led to a refined 12-item scale, organized into a two-factor structure: restoration and revitalization. The second study (N S2 – T1 = 302) tested the 12-item scale’s reliability, convergent, and discriminant validity, as well as test-retest reliability and predictive validity through a follow-up survey (N S2 – T2 = 125). The third study (N S3 = 308) adapted the scale for Italian speakers, confirming the two-factor structure as well as its reliability and validity. Furthermore, the scale demonstrated measurement invariance across English and Italian versions, confirming its cross-linguistic equivalence. Overall, these findings establish the NS-ERQ as a robust instrument for assessing how individuals choose to visit natural environments for emotion regulation, providing a new framework for understanding the role of selecting environmental context in emotion regulation. • Choosing to go to an environment is a form of emotional regulation. • Nature selection is proposed as a new strategy within Situation Selection family. • A scale to investigate this process was validated in English (S 1 , S 2 ) and Italian (S 3 ). • The 12-item scale’s two factors showed strong reliability and validity. • Findings enhance insight into how location selection plays a role in ER.

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https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.102960

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@article{valeria2026,
  title        = {{Using nature to regulate emotions: Introducing the nature selection emotion regulation questionnaire (NS-ERQ)}},
  author       = {Valeria Vitale et al.},
  journal      = {Journal of Environmental Psychology},
  year         = {2026},
  doi          = {https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvp.2026.102960},
}

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Evidence weight

0.50

Balanced mode · F 0.40 / M 0.15 / V 0.05 / R 0.40

F · citation impact0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20
M · momentum0.50 × 0.15 = 0.07
V · venue signal0.50 × 0.05 = 0.03
R · text relevance †0.50 × 0.4 = 0.20

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