Use of Virtual Environments to Mitigate Negative Affective States

Promoting well-being is a fundamental aspect of achieving good health, a principle strongly emphasized by the World Health Organization (WHO) Constitution. Subjective well-being, rooted in the hedonic approach, recognizes the significant influence of cognitive and affective factors on individuals' overall well-being. This framework emphasizes the crucial balance between positive and negative affects, encompassing a wide range of moods and emotional states. Attaining well-being requires cultivating positive affects while minimizing the impact of negative ones. One effective strategy for promoting well-being is through contact with outdoor environments and nature, which has consistently shown positive outcomes. Natural landscapes, particularly those that enhance individuals' mental well-being, such as open forests with vegetation, have been associated with transmitting positive emotions and contributing to overall well-being. However, in an interconnected world, direct access to natural environments may be limited for some individuals. In this paper, we developed two affective VR environments following an existing design methodology. The aim of these environments was to shift the emotional states of participants from a negative one to a more positive one. Through this approach, we contribute to the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of immersive technologies in promoting well-being by leveraging the principles of subjective well-being and the beneficial effects of contact with outdoor environments and nature.