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Holli-Anne Passmore

Dr. Holli-Anne Passmore

Associate Professor, Department Chair, Department of Psychology

780-479-9359

Holli-Anne.Passmore@concordia.ab.ca

Academic Interests

Well-Being
Nature:  experiences in everyday nature, nature connectedness
Meaning in Life
Positive Psychology
Existential Psychology

Research and Interests

My research focuses broadly on well-being with two main streams—nature and meaning in life. With regard to nature, a primary focus of my work is the development and validation of practical interventions to enhance well-being and an emotional and psychological sense of connection with nature through noticing and engaging with everyday nature close to home. I am also interested in the emerging issue of eco-anxiety. With regard to meaning in life, I examine forecasting meaning and pathways that lead to greater meaning in life, particularly among university students. Of course, these two research streams also overlap. I collaborate with colleagues from around the globe. I am an Editor of the International Journal of Wellbeing, Science Chair of the Spirituality & Meaning Division of the International Positive Psychology Association, an invited academic with the Global Wellbeing Initiative, and a co-developer of the free online course on Nature Connectedness out of the University of Derby.

For further information on Dr. Passmore, her research lab, publications, & teaching: https://nature-mill.org/

Courses Taught

PSY 104 – Basic Psychological Processes
PSY 335 – Positive Psychology / Science of Well-being
PSY 340 – Emotions and Behaviour
PSY 341 – Social Psychology
PSY 406 – Special Topics in Psychology: Language and Culture
PSY 408 – Special Topics in Psychology: Nature and Well-being

Research Lab

Nature—Meaning in Life Lab (Nature—MILL)

I am open to collaborating with and supervising students.  If you are interested, please do email me.

Representative Selection of Publications

Peer-Reviewed Articles

  • Passmore, H.-A., *Yargeau, A., *Blench, J. (2022). Wellbeing in winter: Testing the Noticing Nature Intervention during winter months. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.840273
  • Passmore, H.-A., Yang, Y., & *Sabine, S. (2022). An extended replication study of the well-being intervention, the Noticing Nature Intervention (NNI). Journal of Happiness Studies, 23(6), 2663-2683. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-022-00516-3
  • Passmore, H.-A., *Lutz, P. K., & Howell, A. J. (2022). Eco-anxiety: A cascade of fundamental existential anxieties. Journal of Constructivist Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/10720537.2022.2068706
  • Passmore, H.-A., Martin, L., Richardson, M., White, M., Hunt, A., & Pahl, S. (2021). Parental/guardians’ connection to nature better predicts children’s nature connectedness than visits or area-level characteristics. Ecopsychology.
  • Richardson, M., Passmore, H-A., Lumber, R., Thomas, R., & Hunt, A. (2021). Moments, not minutes: The nature-wellbeing relationship. International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(1), 8-33. https://doi.org/10.5502/ijw.
  • Yang, Y., Wang, L., Passmore, H.-A., Zhang, J., & Zhu, L. (2021) Viewing nature scenes helps reduce the pain of social ostracism. Journal of Social Psychology, 161(2), 197-215. https://doi.org/10.1080/
  • Lambert, L., Lomas, T., van de Weijer, M., Passmore, H.-A., Joshanloo, M., Harter, J., … Deiner, E. (2020). A (new) global wellbeing measure: Because the world is ready. International Journal of Wellbeing, 10(2), 1-18. doi:10.5502/ijw.110i2.1037
  • Passmore, H.-A., Howell, A. J., & Holder, M. D. (2018). Positioning implicit theories of well-being within a positivity framework. Journal of Happiness Studies, 19, 2445-2463.
  • Capaldi, C. A., Passmore, H.-A., Ishii, R., Chistopolskaya, K. A., Vowinckel, J., Nikolaev, E. L., & Semikin, G. I. (2017). Engaging with natural beauty may be related to well-being because it connects people to nature: Evidence from three cultures. Ecopsychology, 9, 199-211.
  • Passmore, H.-A., & Holder. M. D. (2017) Noticing nature: Individual and social benefits of a two-week intervention. Journal of Positive Psychology, 12, 537-546.
  • Capaldi, C. A., Passmore, H.-A., Nisbet, E. K., Zelenski, J. M., & Dopko, R. L. (2015). Flourishing in nature: A review of the well-being benefits of connecting with nature and its application as a positive psychology intervention. International Journal of Wellbeing, 5, 1-16.
  • Lambert, L., Passmore, H.-A., & Holder, M. D. (2015). Foundational frameworks of positive psychology: Mapping well-being orientations. Canadian Psychology – Special Issue on Positive Psychology, 56, 311-321.
  • Passmore, H.-A., & Howell, A. J. (2014). Nature involvement increases hedonic and eudaimonic well-being: A two-week experimental study. Ecopsychology, 6, 148-154.
  • Passmore, H.-A., & Howell, A. J. (2014). Eco-Existential Positive Psychology: How experiences in nature can address our existential anxieties and contribute to well-being. The Humanistic Psychologist, 42, 370-388.
  • Howell, A. J., Passmore, H.-A., & Buro, K. (2013). Meaning in nature: Meaning in life as a mediator of the relationship between nature connectedness and well-being. Journal of Happiness Studies, 14, 1681-1696.
  • Howell, A. J., Dopko, R. L., Passmore, H.-A., & Buro, K. (2011). Nature connectedness: Associations with well-being and mindfulness. Personality and Individual Differences, 51, 166-171.

Book Chapters (* denotes student under my supervision)

  • *Geddes, O., & Passmore, H.-A. (invited chapter, submitted. in press due 2020). Green exercise: Actively flourishing in nature.
  • *Hunt, J. T., Howell, A. J., & Passmore, H.-A. (invited chapter, submitted, in press due 2020). In vivo nature exposure as a positive psychological intervention: A review of the impact of nature interventions on well-being.
  • *Lutz, P. K., & Passmore, H.-A. (2019). Repercussions of individual and societal valuing of happiness. In In L. Lambert & N. Pasha-Zaidi (Eds.), Positive psychology in the Middle East / North Africa: Research, policy, and practice (pp. 363-390). Springer.
  • Passmore, H.-A., & Howell, A. J. (2016). Seeds of hope. In Leo Bormans (Ed.), The World Book of Hope. Lannoo Publishers.
  • Howell, A. J., Keyes, C. L.M., & Passmore, H.-A. (2013). Flourishing among children and adolescents: Structure and correlates of positive mental health, and interventions for its enhancement. In P. Alex Linley & C. Proctor (Eds.), Positive psychology: Research, applications and interventions for children and adolescents (pp. 59-80). Springer.
  • Howell, A. J., & Passmore, H.-A. (2013). The nature of happiness: Nature affiliation and mental well-being. In C. L. M. Keyes (Ed.), Mental well-being: International contributions to the study of positive mental health (pp. 231-257). Springer.

Representative Selection of Invited Talks

  • Passmore, H.-A. (2022, June). The tree at the bus stop: The importance of nearby nature to individual and social wellbeing. On the Edge Speaker Series – Edmonton Public Library. Edmonton, AB. [Virtual live] https://epl.bibliocommons.com/events/6297c100db121f41008803cd
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2022, June). Nature-based wellbeing interventions; Simple, yet powerful. Zhejiang University Summer School, Hangzhou, China. [Virtual presentation]
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2022, March). Nature connectedness and eco-anxiety: Why you should care if you’re working to improve sustainability. Renewable Energy Seminar Series – McNeil Centre for Appiled Renewable Energy, Concordia University of Edmonton, Edmonton, AB, [Virtual live] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIgl4BkfV08
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2022, March). Grounding oneself and transcending oneself: Evidence for nature as a pathway to well-being. Scientific Talk Series: International Positive Psychology Association – Spirituality & Meaning Division. [Virtual Presentation] https://vimeo.com/694604465/bb7865e680
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2020, October). Nature connectedness: Essential, distinct element of well-being. Global Wellbeing Summit: Gallup and Wellbeing for Planet Earth Foundation. Tokyo, Japan. [virtual meeting due to COVID-19]
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2020, April). Nature connectedness during the pandemic restrictions. Derbyshire Wildlife Trust Staff Development Day. Derby, UK – via video meeting.
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2019, August). Connecting with nature through the lens of a positive psychology researcher. Clubhouse Farm and Kelowna School District 23 Professional Development Day. Kelowna, BC.
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2019, August). The human-nature connection: Essential well-being for the world. International Well-Being Summit: Reinventing the concept of well-being. LiFull Foundation and Gallup World Poll. Kyoto, Japan.
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2018, December). Parks, well-being, and broader social benefits. Parks Services – Regional District of Central Kelowna, Kelowna, BC.
  • Passmore, H.-A. (2018, May). Nearby urban nature: More than just a pretty sight. 4th Biennial Convention of the Canadian Positive Psychology Association, Toronto, ON.

Representative Selection of Research in the Media

  • 2022, August. Eco-grief: A normal reaction to a global crisis. CBC News. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-climate-activists-use-their-eco-grief-as-a-tool-for-building-communities-1.6562046
  • 2022, June. How to deal with eco-anxiety. ASET News: The Association of Science and Engineering Technology Professionals of Alberta. https://aset.ab.ca/ASET-News/Member-News/2022/How-to-deal-with-eco-anxiety
  • 2022, March. RX Wild: How nature restores body and mind. [interview for magazine article] Conservation Magazine – Alberta Conservation Association. https://www.ab-conservation.com/publications/conservation-magazine/
  • 2022, February. Enhancing our wellbeing through everyday nature. Science Up Your Wellbeing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5pSDegzGOU
  • 2022, January. A philosophy of stardust and nature. The Global Existential Summit. Existential Offerings – Virtual Conference. https://existentialsummit.com/ [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6ut4upbxR8&t=1407s]
  • 2021, July. Interview for Insight Series, Mental Help, Adeara Recovery Centre affiliation program.
  • 2021, July. Pandemic Walks. [podcast interview]. Terra-Informa – CJSR Radio. https://terrainforma.ca/226
  • 2021, January. Nature connectedness & community centered conservation: See the forest. [podcast interview]. Society & Culture. https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/nature-connectedness-community-centered-conservation/id1548215610?i=1000504896177
  • 2021, March. Nature. [podcast interview]. A World of Wellbeing Podcast Series – Gallup Global Wellbeing Initiative. https://www.spreaker.com/user/gallupstrengthscenter/nature
  • 2020, March. Noticing nature: Helping us cope with physical distancing restrictions of COVID19. [radio interviews]. BBC Radio Derby; BBC Radio Scotland.
  • 2020, February. Get connected to nature: Results of National Trust research with University of Derby. [radio interviews]. BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Derby, BBC Radio Leeds.
  • 2019, October. Finding beauty in the everyday: Noticing Nature. [podcast interview]. Greater Good In Action: Podcast – The Science of Happiness.