Understanding the Role of Visitor Behavior in Soundscape Restorative Experiences in Urban Parks

authored by: Xuan Guo, Si Yu Jiang, Jiang Liu, Zhu Chen, Xin Chen Hong
Abstract: The restorative effects of soundscapes on human physical and mental well-being are widely recognized, but their effectiveness is influenced by various factors, including external environments and individual characteristics. Despite being a crucial element in environmental experience, the role of individual behavior in the restorative effects of soundscapes has been insufficiently studied. To address this research gap, we conducted a survey in five parks in Fuzhou, China, using questionnaires to assess visitors’ evaluations of soundscape characteristics, their soundscape restorative experiences, and behavioral characteristics. A total of 419 valid responses were collected. Using these data, we employed a structural equation model and conditional process analysis to explore the interaction between visitor behavior and soundscape experiences. The results show that soundscapes with pleasantness and eventfulness promote static behaviors to a certain degree, while dynamic behaviors are influenced solely by eventfulness soundscapes. In the process by which soundscape characteristics influence restorative experiences, static behavior is the only mediating factor, accounting for 8% of the total effect. Additionally, increased visit intensity enhances the impact of pleasantness soundscape on restorative experiences while weakening the mediating effect of static behavior. These findings provide strong support for relevant design considerations.
Organisation(s): Institute of Environmental Planning
External Organisation(s): Fuzhou University
Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS)
Type: Article
Journal: FORESTS
Volume: 15
No. of pages: 22
ISSN: 1999-4907
Publication date: 05.10.2024
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Forestry
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.3390/f15101751 (Access: Open)

BibTeX

@article{399e5eff2f8541c8944f15ed6678d6cc,
title = "Understanding the Role of Visitor Behavior in Soundscape Restorative Experiences in Urban Parks",
abstract = "The restorative effects of soundscapes on human physical and mental well-being are widely recognized, but their effectiveness is influenced by various factors, including external environments and individual characteristics. Despite being a crucial element in environmental experience, the role of individual behavior in the restorative effects of soundscapes has been insufficiently studied. To address this research gap, we conducted a survey in five parks in Fuzhou, China, using questionnaires to assess visitors{\textquoteright} evaluations of soundscape characteristics, their soundscape restorative experiences, and behavioral characteristics. A total of 419 valid responses were collected. Using these data, we employed a structural equation model and conditional process analysis to explore the interaction between visitor behavior and soundscape experiences. The results show that soundscapes with pleasantness and eventfulness promote static behaviors to a certain degree, while dynamic behaviors are influenced solely by eventfulness soundscapes. In the process by which soundscape characteristics influence restorative experiences, static behavior is the only mediating factor, accounting for 8% of the total effect. Additionally, increased visit intensity enhances the impact of pleasantness soundscape on restorative experiences while weakening the mediating effect of static behavior. These findings provide strong support for relevant design considerations.",
keywords = "human behavior, restorative experience, soundscape, urban park",
author = "Xuan Guo and Jiang, {Si Yu} and Jiang Liu and Zhu Chen and Hong, {Xin Chen}",
note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2024 by the authors.",
year = "2024",
month = oct,
day = "5",
doi = "10.3390/f15101751",
language = "English",
volume = "15",
journal = "FORESTS",
issn = "1999-4907",
publisher = "MDPI AG",
number = "10",
}