‘This Is What the Colour Green Smells Like!’: Urban Forest Bathing Improved Adolescent Nature Connection and Wellbeing

McEwan, Kirsten; Potter, Vanessa; Kotera, Yasuhiro; Jackson, Jessica Eve; Greaves, Sarah

Abstract

Background: Research suggests that an early connection with nature can benefit wellbeing into adulthood. However, there is less research assessing whether adolescents benefit from formal nature connection interventions such as forest bathing (slow mindful nature walks). This research aimed to assess whether an urban nature connection intervention (called ParkBathe) could improve adolescents’ nature connection and wellbeing. Method: In an experimental repeated measures design, 44 adolescents sampled opportunistically from Scouts groups, completed surveys and interviews before and after experiencing an urban nature connection intervention. Results: Paired-samples t-tests between baseline and post-intervention survey scores revealed statistically significant improvements in anxiety (13% reduction); rumination (44% reduction); scepticism (17% reduction); nature connection (25% increase); and social connection (12% increase). The largest effect size was found for nature connection. Interviews revealed that before the session, participants had a mixed understanding and expectations of the intervention. Conclusions: After the session, the participants expressed enjoying the social aspects of being part of a group and being present in the moment by noticing nature. They expressed the effects of this as immediately calming and relaxing. Urban forest bathing improved nature connection and wellbeing in adolescents and could be implemented and/or signposted by schools and youth charities.

Citation

McEwan, K., Potter, V., Kotera, Y., Jackson, J. E., & Greaves, S. (2022). ‘This Is What the Colour Green Smells Like!’: Urban Forest Bathing Improved Adolescent Nature Connection and Wellbeing. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(23), Article 15594. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315594

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Nov 20, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Nov 24, 2022
• Publication Date: Nov 24, 2022
• Deposit Date: Nov 25, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 25, 2022
• Journal: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Print ISSN: 1661-7827
• Electronic ISSN: 1660-4601
• Publisher: MDPI AG
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 19
• Issue: 23
• Article Number: 15594
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192315594
• Keywords: adolescent; anxiety; forest bathing; nature connection; rumination; social connection
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/14038891
• Publisher URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/23/15594