Abstract
BackgroundResearch suggests outdoor activity in green spaces is important for children’s mental, emotional and social wellbeing. A recognised green space intervention is “Social and Therapeutic Horticulture” (STH). We discuss findings from a pilot STH intervention, “A Haven of Green Space” conducted in North West England. The target group were school children aged 9–15 years experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. This exploratory study aims to assess the mental wellbeing of the children pre- and post-intervention, and assess the value of the evaluation methods and “Five Ways to Wellbeing” evaluation framework.MethodsThe intervention involved 6 monthly sessions with two horticulturists and a psychotherapist. Sessions were participatory with the development of selected greenspaces at each school directed by the children. Evaluation was situated in the “Five Ways to Wellbeing” framework, using a mixed-methods pre- post-evaluation design. Existing public mental health evaluation methodologies were adapted for use with school children: Mental Well Being Impact Assessment (MWIA) and Wellbeing Check Cards. The MWIA was analysed qualitatively identifying over-arching themes. The quantitative wellbeing check cards were analysed by mean score comparison.ResultsResults were collected from 36 children across the three participating schools, and suggest that the Haven Green Space intervention was associated with improved mental wellbeing. MWIA factors relating to mental wellbeing (“emotional wellbeing” and “self-help”) were positively impacted in all three schools. However, findings from the wellbeing check cards challenge this, with worsening scores across many domains.ConclusionsA key study limitation is the pilot nature of the intervention and challenges in adapting evaluation methods to context and age-range. However, results indicate that group based socially interactive horticulture activities facilitated by trained therapists are associated with positive impacts upon the mental and emotional wellbeing of children experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties. Further research is needed to verify this, and to support using the “Five Ways” in intervention development and evaluation. Finally, we recommend continued efforts to develop age-appropriate evaluation methods.
Highlights
Research suggests outdoor activity in green spaces is important for children’s mental, emotional and social wellbeing
Thirty-six children participated in the Haven Green Space intervention and attached evaluation across three schools
In schools A and B all 12 children invited into the project consented to take part in the intervention and evaluation
Summary
Research suggests outdoor activity in green spaces is important for children’s mental, emotional and social wellbeing. The target group were school children aged 9–15 years experiencing behavioural, emotional and social difficulties This exploratory study aims to assess the mental wellbeing of the children pre- and post-intervention, and assess the value of the evaluation methods and “Five Ways to Wellbeing” evaluation framework. Three theories seek to explain the impact of connections to nature upon mental health and wellbeing: Biophilia [17], Stress Reduction Theory [18] and Attention Restoration Theory [19]. The latter two are of therapeutic interest. Attention Restoration Theory [19] proposes that nature assists with recovery from attention fatigue, allowing distance from routine activities and thoughts to engage without conscious effort
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