Research provides convincing evidence of positive connections between nature-based experiences and human health benefits. Most studies examining such connections have focused on adults. Studies that have been conducted with youth have largely considered preventing or reducing negative outcomes. This study adds to the literature by examining the health-promoting value of adolescents' nature-based experiences from a strength-based or positive youth development (PYD) approach. It also focuses on rural youth, a population generally overlooked in PYD work.
This study explored direct associations between youths' time in nature, connection to nature, and PYD, as operationalized by the five Cs of PYD (competence, connection, confidence, character, and caring) and the “sixth” C of youth contribution. A survey completed by 587 youth in rural areas in South Carolina was the source of data for this study. All of the participating youth (age 11-14) attended schools in low-income communities with racially and ethnically diverse populations. In addition to collecting information about the participants' nature-based outdoor time, the survey also assessed their connectedness to nature and six different areas of positive youth development (PYD). Two scales were used for assessing connectedness to nature: Nature Relatedness (adapted) and the Inclusion of Nature in Self. PYD was assessed using the adapted version of Five Cs of PYD (short form) and additional items addressing four subsets of “contribution”: leadership, service, helping, and ideology.
On average, youth reported spending 1.7 hours outdoors in nature during a typical day. Their nature connectedness scores and their scores on most PYD metrics were relatively high. Statistical analysis of the data -- including controlling for demographic variables -- found exposure and connection to nature to be significantly and positively associated with PYD outcomes. While nature-based experiences were linked to overall PYD, “the effect of direct experience and time outdoors was most strongly associated with competence.” Additionally, youth reporting greater personal connection to and internalized identification with nature also reported “greater levels of healthy and positive relationships in their families, peer groups, schools, and communities (i.e., the C of connection).”
These findings suggest that providing opportunities for time in nature and promoting connections with nature could make important contributions to positive youth development, including diverse youth and youth living in rural communities.
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