Nature-based psychological treatment for adolescent depression v1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Exploring the role of contact with nature in the context of brief psychological interventions for young people experiencing depressive symptoms
IRAS ID
306411
Contact name
Heather Stephenson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Exeter
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 26 days
Research summary
Contact with nature has been associated with improved psychological, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing. New therapeutic approaches have emerged incorporating nature into psychological therapies and some research suggests this could be as or more effective than traditional approaches. However, less is known about the impact of nature-based talking therapies on younger populations and treatment matching. Understanding the effectiveness of nature-based interventions and mechanisms of change could provide alternative treatment options and further service-wide benefits.
This study aims to compare a brief group psychological therapy informed by behavioural activation (BA; National Institute for Health & Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines recommended treatment for adolescent depression), delivered either in nature-based or indoor settings. Research questions will address whether this intervention is effective in reducing depressive symptoms and compare treatment effects across the conditions.
Although exposure to nature is evidenced to be effective in reducing symptoms of common mental illness, it is not clear how this occurs. It may be explained by a reduction in stress or rumination, restoration of cognitive functioning or individuals’ connectedness to nature. This research seeks to understand the role of these factors across treatment groups and what is important to young people’s experience.
Individuals aged 13-19 with elevated depressive symptoms will be recruited from primary and secondary mental health services, third sector services, schools and social media. An exploratory pilot, preference design will enable participants to choose between the nature-based or indoor intervention, with the former taking place in woodland settings. All participants will be invited to an introductory session, followed by two BA-informed treatment sessions. They will receive psychoeducation materials either around nature and wellbeing or general low mood. The nature-based group will additionally receive nature-based mindfulness (evidence-based treatment in relapse prevention of depression) and individuals will be encouraged to access nature between sessions. The intervention will take place over six weeks.
REC name
South West - Cornwall & Plymouth Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SW/0108
Date of REC Opinion
23 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion