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Forest Bathing Increases Adolescent Mental Well-being And Connection To Nature: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study

Keller, Jennifer
http://orcid.org/0009-0008-7183-819X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1692717940532908

Abstract Details

2023, Ph.D., Antioch University, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies.
Previous research has demonstrated that practicing forest bathing has significant positive effects on well-being. However, few studies have investigated whether forest bathing increases adolescent well-being despite the growing adolescent mental health crisis in the United States. Similarly, few studies have explored forest bathing’s impacts on connectedness to nature. Considering the ongoing environmental crisis, determining if forest bathing increases connectedness to nature is a critical expansion of forest bathing research, as connectedness to nature is linked to environmental care and concern. This study investigated the possibility that forest bathing, a nature-based mindfulness practice, could increase adolescent mental well-being and connectedness to nature and sought to determine participants’ experiences of practicing forest bathing. This study used a convergent parallel mixed-methods design that was partially co-created with 24 participants aged 16-18 as part of a youth participatory action research (YPAR) project where participants practiced forest bathing three times over three weeks. After practicing forest bathing, participants’ mental well-being increased significantly, as measured by the Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale. Connectedness to nature also increased significantly as measured by the Connectedness to Nature Scale. Participants described reduced stress and increased feelings of relaxation, peace, and happiness as well as increased connection to nature, gratitude for nature, concern for nature, and desire to care for nature. Although this is one of the first studies to examine forest bathing impacts on participants' connectedness to nature, these findings correlate with other studies showing that spending time outside in nature increases connectedness to nature and care and concern for the environment. People working with adolescents could consider forest bathing as a practice that increases connectedness to nature while also increasing mental well-being.
Jean Kayira, PhD (Committee Chair)
Jason Rhoades, PhD (Committee Member)
Louise Chawla, PhD (Committee Member)
268 p.
Climate Change; Developmental Psychology; Education; Education Policy; Educational Psychology; Environmental Education; Environmental Health; Environmental Justice; Environmental Studies; Forestry; Instructional Design; Pedagogy; Personal Relationships; Public Health; Science Education; Secondary Education; Spirituality; Sustainability; Teaching; Urban Forestry; Urban Planning
forest bathing; forest therapy; nature therapy; adolescent well-being; ecoanxiety; ypar; mixed methods; photovoice; nature connection; nature connectedness; connection to nature; climate anxiety

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Keller, J. (2023). Forest Bathing Increases Adolescent Mental Well-being And Connection To Nature: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1692717940532908

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Keller, Jennifer. Forest Bathing Increases Adolescent Mental Well-being And Connection To Nature: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study . 2023. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1692717940532908.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Keller, Jennifer. "Forest Bathing Increases Adolescent Mental Well-being And Connection To Nature: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study ." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1692717940532908

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1692717940532908
311
© 2023, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.