A Study on the Psychological Restorative Benefits of the "Plantain in Rain" Soundscape

Boyang Xu; Yiding Chen; Shunkang Wang; Zhuqiang Hu; Jinglun Wang; Sheng Li

doi:10.6918/IJOSSER.202505_8(5).0020

Authors

Boyang Xu
Yiding Chen
Shunkang Wang
Zhuqiang Hu
Jinglun Wang
Sheng Li

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6918/IJOSSER.202505_8(5).0020

Keywords:

Plantain in Rain, Audio-visual environment, Restorative benefits, Predictive factors.

Abstract

The "Rain Falling on Banana Leaves" soundscape, historically embedded in classical Chinese garden soundscape design, has been celebrated by literati through dynastic eras. Contemporary applications extend to sleep assistance and therapeutic interventions, yet the synergistic mechanisms of its audio-visual components in shaping holistic restorative benefits remain underexplored. This investigation combines field-collected audiovisual materials with an online survey (N=182) to quantify objective and subjective determinants of restorative effects. Key findings demonstrate that: 1) The psychological restorative dimensions comprise immersion, dissociation, fascination, being away, and compatibility, with visual and auditory modalities explaining distinct variance proportions. 2) Not all configurations exhibit restorative potential - light rainfall demonstrates significant positive effects, whereas heavy rainfall intensity may induce adverse outcomes. 3) Visual perception critically mediates restoration, where sunny conditions enhance immersion/dissociation, clustered banana plantings amplify immersion, and visual tranquility emerges as the paramount visual restorative predictor. 4) Demographic variables (gender, age, occupation) show non-significant impacts, while educational attainment, regional background, personality traits, and life satisfaction significantly predict restorative outcomes, with noise-sensitive individuals exhibiting enhanced environmental adaptability.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

[1] Li, Song. "Research on the Design of Rain Scene Aesthetic in Chinese Classical Gardens." [D] Hubei University of Technology, 2010.

[2] Xu, Bo. "On the Image of 'Rain Beating on Banana Leaves' in Ancient Literature." [J] Journal of the School of Chinese Language and Literature, Nanjing Normal University, 2011, (03): 79-83.

[3] Ji, Rui, et al. "Are natural soundscapes always beneficial? Evaluating the restorative qualities and influencing mechanisms of natural water soundscapes." Applied Acoustics 227 (2025): 110205.

[4] Ge, Tianji. "Research on the Soundscape of Birdsong in Urban Parks Based on Perceived Restoration." [D] Harbin Institute of Technology, 2018.

[5] Zhang, Yuan. "Study on the Restorative Effects of Soundscapes in Urban Public Open Spaces." [D] Harbin Institute of Technology, 2016.

[6] Kang, Jian, and Yang, Wei. "Soundscapes in Urban Public Open Spaces." [J] World Architecture, 2002, (6): 76-79.

[7] Wu, Tianjie. "Research on the Enhancement Design of Restorative Effects of Pocket Parks Based on Visual Perception." [D] Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, 2023. DOI: 10.27018/d.cnki.gfjnu.2023.000737.

[8] Zhao, Xin. "Research on the Restorative Soundscape and Optimization Design of Office-type Pocket Parks." [D] Shandong Jianzhu University, 2023.

[9] Bai, Zhengkang, and Shuangquan Zhang. "Effects of Different Natural Soundscapes on Human Psychophysiology in National Forest Parks." Scientific Reports 14.1 (2024): 17462.

[10] Zhou, Yanhui, Wang, Yifan, Jin, Hexian. "Research on the Restorative Benefits of Campus Green Spaces under Visual and Olfactory Perception." [J] Chinese Landscape Architecture, 2023, 39(11): 36-41.

[11] Kaplan, Stephen. "The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework." Journal of Environmental Psychology 15.3 (1995): 169-182.

[12] Han, Zhihui, Jian Kang, and Qi Meng. "A Time Series Analysis Model of the Relationship Between Psychoacoustic Parameters of Urban Soundscape Spatial Sequences and Emotional Changes." The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 152.4 (2022).

[13] Wei, Lanqing. "Research on the Relationship Between Bamboo Scenery and Preference, Perceived Restoration under Audiovisual Interaction." [D] Sichuan Agricultural University, 2019.

[14] Bai, Yuping. "Research on the Restorative Environment of Micro Public Spaces in Urban Industrial Communities Based on Perceived Dimensions." [D] Sichuan Agricultural University, 2023.

[15] Payne, Sarah R., and Catherine Guastavino. "Exploring the Validity of the Perceived Restorativeness Soundscape Scale: A Psycholinguistic Approach." Frontiers in Psychology 9 (2018): 2224.

[16] Shi, Xian, Zhenyu Guo, and Yuezhe Zhao. "Influence of Virtual Audio System on Psychological Restoration Effects of Soundscapes: Investigating Water Sounds of a Chinese Classical Garden." Applied Acoustics 221 (2024): 109991.

[17] Ulrich, RS. "Biophilic Theory and Research for Healthcare Design." In SR Kellert, JH Heerwagen, and ML Mador, editors. Biophilic Design: The Theory, Science, and Practice of Bringing Buildings to Life. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley (2008): 87–106.

[18] Liu, Shudan. "Research on the Characteristics and Psychological Impact Mechanisms of Winter and Summer Green Visual Rate in Residential Areas of Hangzhou." [D] Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, 2024.

[19] Kaplan, Rachel. "The Role of Nature in the Context of the Workplace." Landscape and Urban Planning 26.1-4 (1993): 193-201.

[20] Ulrich, Roger S. "View Through a Window May Influence Recovery from Surgery." Science 224.4647 (1984): 420-421.

[21] Van den Berg, Agnes E., Terry Hartig, and Henk Staats. "Preference for Nature in Urbanized Societies: Stress, Restoration, and the Pursuit of Sustainability." Journal of Social Issues 63.1 (2007): 79-96.

[22] Wang, Shiqi. "Research on Environmental Design Strategies for Campus Spaces in Cold Regions under the Goal of Attention Restoration." [D] Harbin Institute of Technology, 2020.

[23] Fang, Xingyue, et al. "Soundscape Perceptions and Preferences for Different Groups of Users in Urban Recreational Forest Parks." Forests 12.4 (2021): 468.

[24] McClelland, Laura E., and James H. Brads. "The Five Factor Model and Life Satisfaction: Examining the Predictive and Mediatory Role of Restorativeness Indoors." Journal of Environmental Psychology 92 (2023): 102150.