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Nature Interaction Assists with Coping and Resilience: An Interaction Pattern Approach with Adolescents with Histories of Trauma in a Youth Group Home

Dunker, Chrystal L
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4998-156X
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1739900486740568

Abstract Details

2025, Ph.D., Antioch University, Antioch New England: Environmental Studies.
Adolescents with histories of trauma often experience disruptions to their emotional, social, and behavioral development. For those living in group home settings, supportive environments can play a key role in fostering healing and resilience. While nature interaction is increasingly recognized as a valuable way to support mental health and resilience, little research has explored its role in these settings. This study introduces an innovative methodology—the Interaction Pattern Approach (IPA)—to examine the role of nature interaction in coping and resilience for 12 adolescents with Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) living in a youth group home. In this design, IPA integrates photovoice data with 22 months of participant-observation, employing a structured coding system to analyze meaningful adolescent-nature interactions. The analysis identified 62 distinct Level 3 Interaction Patterns (e.g., “experiencing periodicity of nature,” “seeing wildlife,” “seeking connection with animals”) that characterized how participants engaged with nature. These patterns were grouped into 7 Coping and Resilience Domains (e.g., self-regulation, autonomy, transcendence), each comprising numerous strengths (e.g., emotional regulation, perseverance, gratitude). The findings provide a foundation for developing a “nature language” that emphasizes the ontogenetic and phylogenetic significance of nature interactions. By demonstrating the diverse ways in which nature fosters coping and resilience, this study highlights the importance of prioritizing nature-based interventions in youth group homes and underscores nature’s unique potential to support vulnerable populations. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).
Jean Kayira, Ph.D. (Committee Chair)
Elizabeth McCann, Ph.D. (Committee Member)
Peter H. Kahn, Jr., Ph.D. (Committee Member)
337 p.
Developmental Psychology; Environmental Studies; Evolution and Development; Families and Family Life; Health; Mental Health; Personal Relationships; Psychology; Social Research; Therapy
human-nature interaction patterns; adolescence; resilience; coping; group home; Interaction Pattern Approach; photovoice; nature language

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Dunker, C. L. (2025). Nature Interaction Assists with Coping and Resilience: An Interaction Pattern Approach with Adolescents with Histories of Trauma in a Youth Group Home [Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1739900486740568

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Dunker, Chrystal. Nature Interaction Assists with Coping and Resilience: An Interaction Pattern Approach with Adolescents with Histories of Trauma in a Youth Group Home. 2025. Antioch University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1739900486740568.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Dunker, Chrystal. "Nature Interaction Assists with Coping and Resilience: An Interaction Pattern Approach with Adolescents with Histories of Trauma in a Youth Group Home." Doctoral dissertation, Antioch University, 2025. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=antioch1739900486740568

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

antioch1739900486740568
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© 2025, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Antioch University and OhioLINK.