The experience of nature-based therapy for children in paediatrics
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How children with long term health conditions and associated psychological difficulties experience a nature-based therapy intervention designed to support wellbeing
IRAS ID
311355
Contact name
Farhin Bhatti
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salomons Institute for Applied Psychology, Canterbury Christ Church University
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 2 months, 1 days
Research summary
There is growing evidence for the psychological benefits of nature-based therapy (Cooley, 2020). The British Psychological Society (BPS) suggests nature-based therapies can be more effective than indoor therapy through increasing access to care for clients who find an indoor therapy room too uncomfortable, enabling clients to experience greater shared ownership of the therapy space and greater freedom of expression through escaping environments that the clients has associated with their difficulties e.g. hospitals (Cooley & Robertson, 2020).
Research studies have shown that children report improvements in their self-esteem, stress and low mood following nature-based therapy (Tillman et al, 2018). Children’s mental health affects their development, such as how they form relationships and their identity (Erickson, 1958). Therefore, treating MH difficulties early can prevent persisting difficulties in adult life (Eaton et al., 2008).
However, the existing literature into the benefits of nature-based therapy for children with psychological difficulties alongside long term health conditions (LTCs) has been very limited. This is despite the fact research demonstrates that children with LTCs face enormous health-related challenges, and are four times more likely to suffer from psychological difficulties than their physically healthy peers, particularly anxiety, low mood and low self-esteem (Moore et al, 2019).
The few studies that have looked at nature-based therapy for children with LTC have been mostly quantitative and have not explored children’s perspectives of what is most helpful and important to them about being in nature (Van der Riet et al, 2017., Wilkinson et al, 2019), highlighting a gap within current body of research. Therefore, the current project will investigate the views of children within a Paediatric Psychology Support Service (PPSS) by exploring their experience of a nature-based therapy. This study will aim to understand how children’s mental and physical wellbeing as well as their identity and relationship to the natural world has been impacted. This research could potentially lead to a deeper understanding of how to tailor psychological support for this population.
The study will recruit 8-10 children aged 9-13, under the PPSS. They will participate in a semi-structured interview lasting up to 60mins. The data will be analysed qualitatively using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which is an approach used to explore in detail how participants are making sense of particular experiences.
REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/NE/0042
Date of REC Opinion
14 Feb 2022
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion