Emotional responses to plant attributes: investigating restorative effects among campus students at UiTM Seri Iskandar, Perak

Mental health among university students has become an increasing concern, as academic pressure and psychological stress can negatively affect emotional well-being and cognitive performance. Previous studies have shown that exposure to natural environments, particularly campus greenery, can support mental restoration and emotional recovery. However, limited research has examined which specific plant attributes contribute most to these restorative effects in university settings. Guided by Attention Restoration Theory (ART), which emphasizes being away, extent, fascination, and compatibility as key components of restorative experiences, this study investigates the influence of plant attributes on students’ restorative emotional responses at UiTM Seri Iskandar, Perak. The study focuses on four plant attributes: plant colour, plant shape, spatial arrangement, and shade. A mixed-method approach was employed, comprising site observations to identify existing plant attributes across selected campus areas, followed by a structured questionnaire using Likert-scale items to assess students’ emotional responses, including calmness, comfort, relaxation, and mental refreshment. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to determine which plant attributes contribute most strongly to restorative emotional effects. The findings indicate that plant color and plant form are the most positively perceived visual attributes by students, while shade plays a critical functional role in supporting the restorative experience. However, the uneven distribution of shade and its limited presence on campus areas have led to a high demand among students for additional shade. This need is clearly reflected in student recommendations that emphasize the addition of more shaded seating areas, increased plant color diversity, more natural landscape layouts, and more frequent landscape maintenance. This study provides evidence-based insights for campus planting design, highlighting the importance of balancing visual quality and thermal comfort to enhance the restorative quality of outdoor learning environments and support students’ overall well-being.