DOI: 10.5176/2315-4330_WNC18.57
Authors: Caroline J. Picton, Professor Lorna Moxham, Christopher Patterson
Abstract:
whilst evidence on the potential physical health and social benefits of exposure to nature settings have increased there remains a need to further the understanding of the restorative benefits on mental health [1]. The purpose of this paper is to examine the meanings of nature for people living with a mental illness whilst participating in an outdoor adventure camp. This study used an exploratory qualitative approach to analyze the narrative data collected from individual semi-structured interviews. Data saturation were reached after five participant interviews (n=5). Using van Kaam’s Psychophemenological Method [2] a number of structural elements and themes were identified from the participants’ descriptions. The findings revealed one of the themes as a Connection with nature and comprised of four elements which are: Appreciation and connection; Mindfulness and distraction; Vitality, and, Sustains physical activity. These findings are linked with two complimentary theoretical frameworks, Stress Recovery Framework [3] and Attention Restoration Theory [3], to discuss how the experiences of nature can relieve psychological stress and mental fatigue.
Keywords: mental illness; lived experience; recreation; nature settings; qualitative research
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