Ecopsychological competence in interaction with the spatial environment of everyday life: theoretical foundations and practices of development

The author analyzes the theoretical foundations and practices of the development of ecopsychological competence as the ability of the subject to determine and transform the potential of various characteristics of the spatial environment of everyday life into a psychological resource necessary to maintain optimal functioning. A review of theoretical approaches, the focus of which is the position of the environment “as a resource of psychological health” and “a resource for overcoming stress” (according to S.K. Nartova-Bochaver), allows us to conclude that there is an impressive number of theoretical “constructions”, where the spatial environment is considered as a factor with which human interaction can contribute to subjective well-being and optimization of psychological functioning. As examples, the salutogenic approach to the interaction between man and the environment, the theory of the supporting environment, the theory of the restorative environment, the theory of the health-saving environment are given. Some practices of developing a conscious attitude and using the spatial environment of everyday life to maintain psychological well-being are analyzed. It is emphasized that one of such practices is “landscape analytics”, representatives of which note that the psychological resources of interaction between a person and the space of the natural environment are associated with solving the problems of self-knowledge, self-change, projection, as well as actualization of various meanings, experiences and actions. Another area that actualizes the possibilities for the development of ecopsychological competence is the perception of images of the urban and natural environment, where attention is paid to Researchers focus on the resourcefulness of elements and the quality of the visually perceived spatial environment in the field of optimization of cognitive functions and emotional background. Independent practice focused on the development of ecopsychological competence is participatory design, within the framework of which the thesis of the psychological resource of the spatial environment for the development of the subject's acousticity is formulated. Proof of the existence of a spectrum of everyday practices of office employees to regulate their condition and performance by operating with various properties of the spatial environment is the subject of an empirical analysis of ordinary techniques of help in the office. The author concludes that it is relevant to develop a program for the development of ecopsychological competence in interaction with the spatial environment of everyday life.