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

Author

Listed:
  • Kirsten McEwan

    (College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

  • Vanessa Potter

    (ParkBathe, London SE19 2RP, UK)

  • Yasuhiro Kotera

    (School of Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, Queen’s Medical Centre, Nottingham NG7 2HA, UK)

  • Jessica Eve Jackson

    (College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK)

  • Sarah Greaves

    (Support and Wellbeing Service (Student and Campus Life), University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Kirsten McEwan & Vanessa Potter & Yasuhiro Kotera & Jessica Eve Jackson & Sarah Greaves, 2022. "‘This Is What the Colour Green Smells Like!’: Urban Forest Bathing Improved Adolescent Nature Connection and Wellbeing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15594-:d:982568
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyung-Sook Bang & Insook Lee & Sungjae Kim & Chun Soo Lim & Hee-Kyung Joh & Bum-Jin Park & Min Kyung Song, 2017. "The Effects of a Campus Forest-Walking Program on Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Physical and Psychological Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Jin Young Jeon & In Ok Kim & Poung-sik Yeon & Won Sop Shin, 2021. "The Physio-Psychological Effect of Forest Therapy Programs on Juvenile Probationers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(10), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Gert-Jan Vanaken & Marina Danckaerts, 2018. "Impact of Green Space Exposure on Children’s and Adolescents’ Mental Health: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Karolina Macháčková & Roman Dudík & Jiří Zelený & Dana Kolářová & Zbyněk Vinš & Marcel Riedl, 2021. "Forest Manners Exchange: Forest as a Place to Remedy Risky Behaviour of Adolescents: Mixed Methods Approach," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-20, May.
    5. Fiona J. Clarke & Yasuhiro Kotera & Kirsten McEwan, 2021. "A Qualitative Study Comparing Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku (Forest Bathing): Practitioners’ Perspectives," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-17, June.
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    Cited by:

    1. Jennifer Keller & Jean Kayira & Louise Chawla & Jason L. Rhoades, 2023. "Forest Bathing Increases Adolescents’ Mental Well-Being: A Mixed-Methods Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(1), pages 1-24, December.

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