Physical workplaces and human well-being : a mixed-methods study to quantify the effects of materials, windows, and representation on biobehavioral outcomes
Abstract/Contents
- Abstract
- Increasing evidence suggests the built environment can impact occupants' attitudes, behavior, and health. However, few studies have examined these links with large samples in controlled settings. To address this gap, we conducted an experiment (N = 413) with varied physical features (i.e., materials, windows, and artwork representing diverse identities) to test their effects on biopsychosocial indicators of well-being including belonging, stress, creativity, and pro-environmental concern, measured through physiological sensors and self-reported assessments. Consistent with our hypotheses, participants exposed to natural materials and windows during a stress-inducing task had lower negative stress impacts across various metrics. For certain subgroups, exposure to natural materials also resulted in increased divergent creativity while exposure to windows resulted in increased charitable donations. Finally, participants exposed to diverse representations reported lower stress levels. We discuss the implications of these findings, including methodological challenges surrounding the design, experimentation, and operation of human-centered built environments.
Description
| Type of resource | text |
|---|---|
| Form | electronic resource; remote; computer; online resource |
| Extent | 1 online resource. |
| Place | California |
| Place | [Stanford, California] |
| Publisher | [Stanford University] |
| Copyright date | 2024; ©2024 |
| Publication date | 2024; 2024 |
| Issuance | monographic |
| Language | English |
Creators/Contributors
| Author | Douglas, Isabella Pratt |
|---|---|
| Degree committee member | Billington, Sarah |
| Thesis advisor | Billington, Sarah |
| Associated with | Stanford University, School of Engineering |
| Associated with | Stanford University, Civil & Environmental Engineering Department |
Subjects
| Genre | Theses |
|---|---|
| Genre | Text |
Bibliographic information
| Statement of responsibility | Isabella Pratt Douglas. |
|---|---|
| Note | Submitted to the Civil & Environmental Engineering Department. |
| Thesis | Thesis Engineering Stanford University 2024. |
| Location | https://purl.stanford.edu/pf761xj2630 |
Access conditions
- Copyright
- © 2024 by Isabella Pratt Douglas
- License
- This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial 3.0 Unported license (CC BY-NC).
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