Application of the theory of para-social relationships for the analysis of people’s perceptions of indoor plants

The study highlights the therapeutic potential of PSRs with indoor plants in mitigating stress, enhancing emotional well-being, and providing companionship-particularly for students navigating transitional life stages or living in isolating environments like dormitories. These findings have broader implications for horticultural therapy, environmental psychology, and urban biophilic design. By extending PSR theory beyond human-media contexts to include non-human entities like plants, this research underscores the importance of fostering meaningful connections with nature to support mental health and promote sustainable living practices.