Nature-Based Therapy in Individuals with Mental Health Disorders, with a Focus on Mental Well-Being and Connectedness to Nature—A Pilot Study

Abstract

In times of social and ecological crises, such as COVID-19 with lockdowns and implementing the impact of climate change, mental health degrades. Being outdoors in nature can be health-promoting, can decrease depression, and increase mental well-being. This pilot study investigated the relationships between nature-based therapy, mental health, and individuals’ connectedness to nature. We hypothesize that nature-based therapy has a positive impact on individual mental health and connectedness to nature. A mixed-method approach was used to evaluate the effectiveness of nature-based therapy for young psychosomatic patients. The results demonstrated improvements in mental well-being and connectedness to nature through therapy. Additionally, depression scores decreased. Patients reported the importance of the therapist setting the space, the supportive environment, the poems that fostered the nature connection, improvement at the soul level, and overall doing something meaningful. Every patient experienced nature-based therapy as effective. To conclude, the study gives a first insight into the processes of nature-based therapy in the German population at work and the effectiveness of nature-based therapy. Further questions, e.g., season effects, longitudinal effects, and whether patients with low connectedness to nature gain more out of the intervention remain unanswered.

Keywords

garden therapy; psychosomatic patients; young adults; depression; stational care at hospital; effectiveness

Published in

International journal of environmental research and public health
2023, Volume: 20, number: 3, article number: 2167

SLU Authors

• Joschko, Lilly

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Palsdottir, Anna Maria

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

• Grahn, Patrik

  • Department of People and Society, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    

Associated SLU-program

Built environment
SLU Urban Futures
Nature experiences and health


Sustainable Development Goals

SDG3 Good health and well-being
SDG11 Sustainable cities and communities


UKÄ Subject classification

Landscape Architecture
Applied Psychology
Occupational Therapy


Publication identifier

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032167

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/121090