"I look at my own forest and fields in a different way”: the lived experience of nature-based therapy in a therapy garden when suffering from stress-related illness

TY - JOUR

T1 - "I look at my own forest and fields in a different way”

T2 - the lived experience of nature-based therapy in a therapy garden when suffering from stress-related illness

AU - Sidenius, Ulrik

AU - Stigsdotter, Ulrika K.

AU - Poulsen, Dorthe Varning

AU - Bondas, Terese

PY - 2017

Y1 - 2017

N2 - Evidence confirms that nature-based therapy (NBT) has a positive effect on people with mental illnesses. However, there is a lack of evidence on the meaning of NBT for specific patient groups. The Nacadia® Therapy Garden was designed according to an evidence-based design process, and an NBT programme was developed. The aim of the study was to illuminate the phenomenon of participants’ lived experience of the NBT in Nacadia.Fourteen participants took part in semi-structured interviews (SSIs), and by way of reflective lifeworld research, the SSIs were analysed to identify and describe the meanings of the phenomenon. The essence of the phenomenon was found to be a process of adopting a searching approach to NBT and Nacadia to become familiar with the conditions. This familiarity stimulated the development of confidentiality and attachment to Nacadia. Feeling protected, safe, cared for, and not exposed was important, and motivated feelings of freedom, reduced demands, and increased the ability to access and try a spectrum of NBTactivities. It encouraged participants to develop personal approaches and coping strategies to implement in their everyday lives for moving on.

AB - Evidence confirms that nature-based therapy (NBT) has a positive effect on people with mental illnesses. However, there is a lack of evidence on the meaning of NBT for specific patient groups. The Nacadia® Therapy Garden was designed according to an evidence-based design process, and an NBT programme was developed. The aim of the study was to illuminate the phenomenon of participants’ lived experience of the NBT in Nacadia.Fourteen participants took part in semi-structured interviews (SSIs), and by way of reflective lifeworld research, the SSIs were analysed to identify and describe the meanings of the phenomenon. The essence of the phenomenon was found to be a process of adopting a searching approach to NBT and Nacadia to become familiar with the conditions. This familiarity stimulated the development of confidentiality and attachment to Nacadia. Feeling protected, safe, cared for, and not exposed was important, and motivated feelings of freedom, reduced demands, and increased the ability to access and try a spectrum of NBTactivities. It encouraged participants to develop personal approaches and coping strategies to implement in their everyday lives for moving on.

U2 - 10.1080/17482631.2017.1324700

DO - 10.1080/17482631.2017.1324700

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 28534665

SN - 1748-2623

VL - 12

JO - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being

JF - International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being

IS - 1

M1 - 1324700

ER -