d the total perceived restorativeness score (computed by adding values of the five factors) were higher for playground than library, except for Fascination. Six (five factors, one total score) dependent samples t-tests were conducted yielding significant differences (i.e., p<.001) for all values (t values are reported in Table 4). The playground environment scored significantly higher than the library on Being Away- Psychological, Being Away- Physical, Compatibility and Extent. The library however, scored significantly higher than playground on Fascination. The total perceived restorativeness score of the playground was significantly higher than the library. These results (i.e., factor scores across environments) were then examined by sex and age group (refer to Table 4). Girls and older children reported similar results to the total sample; that is, the playground scores were higher across all factors and the total perceived restorativeness score, except that Fascination scored significantly lower. For boys and younger children however, the level of Fascination was equal across both environments.
To investigate whether the PRCS-C yielded differences between groups of people, mean factor scores were calculated for each factor across both environments and are reported in Table 4. Ten (five factors x two environments) independent samples (sex) t-tests were conducted (Bonferroni adjusted significance alpha .05/10 = .005). Results revealed that boys scored significantly higher than girls on the playground Being Away- Psychological factor [t(223)=3.29, p=.001]. Results also revealed boys scored higher than girls on the library Being Away- Physical factor [t(223)=2.54, p=.01]. Independent sample t-tests were repeated by age group, with significance alpha again at .005. No significant differences were revealed between younger and older children. The total perceived restorativeness score was also examined by sex and age for each environment. Two (environment) independent samples (sex) t-tests and two (environment) independent samples (age group) t-tests were conducted (Bonferroni Adjusted significance alpha .05/2 = .025 for each) revealed boys scored the playground significantly higher on total perceived restorativeness restorative than girls [t(223)=3.26, p=.001]. No significant differences were reported by age group.
DiscussionOverall, the goals of the current study were met. The development of a measure suitable for children, comprising the proposed factors of restorative environments and able to differentiate between environments and groups was accomplished– the PRCS-C. The specific items and administration order are included in the first two columns of Table 1.
Playground DataAs predicted, five factors could be extracted from the data, reflecting a priori scales reported by Laumann et al. (2001). Items for each factor are presented in Table 1. Factors included: Being Away- Physical (“… I feel as though I am in different surroundings …”), Being Away- Psychological (“… I am away from things I must do”), Fascination (“There are many things … that I find fascinating”), Compatibility (“The things I want to do can be done …”), and Extent (“I can do different things in different areas …”). This 15-item five-factor structure was found with the playground data.
Library DataA very similar although not identical factor structure was also yielded with the library data. Of eight items removed from playground data, six were also removed from the library data indicating similar underlying structures in the data. The two items retained by the library data, but excluded from the playground data were a Fascination item and a Compatibility item. Overall, differences lay in the Compatibility and Extent items. Compatibility items were split into two factors and no Extent items remained within the library data.
PRCS-CIn short, both sets of data yielded five factors with 15 items with three factors consistent: Being Away– Physical, Being Away– Psychological and Fascination. Compatibility was similar in both data sets, albeit split in the library 