Exploring Experiences of a Nature-Based Intervention for Mental Health: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Objective

The provision of nature-based interventions (NBIs) for mental health has increased (Bragg & Atkins, 2016), with tentative steps being taken to integrate NBIs into the mental health treatment landscape (NHS England, 2022). NBIs represent a departure from conventional psychological and pharmacological treatments and emerging evidence suggests they may confer a range of psychological benefits. Previous reviews have explored physical health outcomes associated with NBI participation (Coventry et al., 2021) and mental health outcomes following self-guided nature contact (Rowley et al., 2022). This review aimed to investigate how taking part in a facilitated group nature-based intervention for mental health impacts participants’ mental health outcomes.

Method Studies investigating mental health outcomes following participation in a group nature-based intervention were obtained from psychological databases and through searching grey literature. The search returned 193 studies, of which 10 met review eligibility criteria. Included studies were assessed for bias and a narrative synthesis of findings was conducted.

Findings Overall study quality was poor, with methodological quality for six studies rated as weak, two rated as moderate and two rated as strong. This limits the validity and reliability of included study findings, which reported significant improvements in depression, mood, stress, social isolation, happiness, psychological general wellbeing, burnout, readiness for change and attitudes to help seeking. Studies also reported no significant change in quality of life, suicidal ideation, autonomic nerve function and sleep quality.

Conclusions This review found that there is little reliable evidence for the impact of NBIs on participant mental health outcomes. The review also highlighted the diversity of NBI approach, intensity, setting and participant population. Further research is needed to replicate findings while addressing methodological weaknesses. Future studies may also seek to establish whether some populations and clinical presentations benefit from a particular NBI approach, duration and intensity.

Keywords: Nature, nature-based interventions, mental health.