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Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology

While the literature supports positive associations between nature and adolescent mental health, mechanisms are not well understood, and assessment of nature varies widely among existing studies. To partner with the most insightful informants, we enrolled eight adolescent participants from a conserv...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Hartley, Kim, Prideaux, Jonelle, Vaughn, Lisa M.
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: MDPI 2023
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10001520/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36901289
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054280
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author Hartley, Kim
Prideaux, Jonelle
Vaughn, Lisa M.
author_facet Hartley, Kim
Prideaux, Jonelle
Vaughn, Lisa M.
author_sort Hartley, Kim
collection PubMed
description While the literature supports positive associations between nature and adolescent mental health, mechanisms are not well understood, and assessment of nature varies widely among existing studies. To partner with the most insightful informants, we enrolled eight adolescent participants from a conservation-informed summer volunteer program, applying qualitative photovoice methodology to understand their use of nature to relieve stress. Across five group sessions, participants identified four themes: (1) Nature shows us different aspects of beauty; (2) nature helps us relieve stressful experiences by balancing our senses; (3) nature gives us space to find solutions; and (4) we want to find time to enjoy nature. At the conclusion of the project, youth participants reported that the research experience was overwhelmingly positive, enlightening, and inspired appreciation of nature. We found that, while our participants unanimously reported that nature relieved their stress, prior to this project, they were not always intentional in seeking time in nature for this purpose. Through the photovoice process, these participants noted the usefulness of nature for stress relief. We conclude with recommendations for leveraging nature to decrease adolescent stress. Our findings are relevant for families, educators, students, healthcare professionals, and anyone who works with or cares for adolescents.
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spelling pubmed-100015202023-03-11 Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology Hartley, Kim Prideaux, Jonelle Vaughn, Lisa M. Int J Environ Res Public Health Article While the literature supports positive associations between nature and adolescent mental health, mechanisms are not well understood, and assessment of nature varies widely among existing studies. To partner with the most insightful informants, we enrolled eight adolescent participants from a conservation-informed summer volunteer program, applying qualitative photovoice methodology to understand their use of nature to relieve stress. Across five group sessions, participants identified four themes: (1) Nature shows us different aspects of beauty; (2) nature helps us relieve stressful experiences by balancing our senses; (3) nature gives us space to find solutions; and (4) we want to find time to enjoy nature. At the conclusion of the project, youth participants reported that the research experience was overwhelmingly positive, enlightening, and inspired appreciation of nature. We found that, while our participants unanimously reported that nature relieved their stress, prior to this project, they were not always intentional in seeking time in nature for this purpose. Through the photovoice process, these participants noted the usefulness of nature for stress relief. We conclude with recommendations for leveraging nature to decrease adolescent stress. Our findings are relevant for families, educators, students, healthcare professionals, and anyone who works with or cares for adolescents. MDPI 2023-02-28 /pmc/articles/PMC10001520/ /pubmed/36901289 http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054280 Text en © 2023 by the authors. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
spellingShingle Article
Hartley, Kim
Prideaux, Jonelle
Vaughn, Lisa M.
Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology
title Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology
title_full Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology
title_fullStr Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology
title_full_unstemmed Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology
title_short Understanding Connections between Nature and Stress among Conservation-Engaged Adolescents Using Photovoice Methodology
title_sort understanding connections between nature and stress among conservation-engaged adolescents using photovoice methodology
topic Article
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10001520/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/36901289
http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20054280
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