Connection to nature may help young people cope with climate-related emotions while simultaneously encouraging their action for the environmentResearch suggests that the climate crisis and environmental degradation are adversely impacting youth’s mental health. This study is based on the understanding that the climate, ecological and mental health crises may be interconnected, and that disconnection from nature further contributes to each of these global challenges. To provide greater understanding of young people’s relationship to nature, the study aimed to explore “how young people from diverse backgrounds perceive, experience and make sense of nature and what makes them want to protect it.” The study offers a qualitative exploration of how young people’s relationship with nature affects their mental health and attitudes towards pro-environmental behavior.
The study was conducted in partnership with a community youth center in Ireland and employed approaches based in Community-based Participatory Research and Positive Youth Development (PYD). Twenty-one children, teenagers and young adults who represented a range of ethnic, cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds were hand selected to participate in the study. Community center youth workers and research participants were engaged as co-researchers and contributed to the study design. The participants ranged in age from 12 to 26 years and included nine women/girls and 12 men/boys. Participants’ country of nationality included Ireland, Armenia, Pakistan, Cyprus and Romania. Data was collected through focus group interviews conducted with groups of six to eight participants. Photo Speak, a photo-elicitation technique, was used to encourage focus group discussion. Data analysis was conducted using a reflexive thematic analysis approach that considered the researcher's own perspectives and experiences.
Analysis revealed four main themes that detailed participants’ relationship to nature and its impact on mental health and pro-environmental behavior: 1) <em>the foundations of our relationship to nature</em>; 2) <em>pathways to wellbeing</em>; 3) <em>barriers to nature connection</em>; and 4) <em>nature connection in the face of climate and ecological crisis</em>. <em>The foundations of our relationship to nature</em> theme highlighted the beginnings of participants’ relationship to nature and how it developed over their life course. Participants described feeling an innate bond with nature at a young age. Early life experiences in nature and family encouragement to engage with nature were perceived to be particularly important in shaping connection to nature. Nature-based programs, whether through school or community organizations, were also viewed as important in sustaining connection with nature, especially during adolescence. The theme <em>pathways to wellbeing</em> revealed that nature offered a calming, “grounding experience” that allowed participants to be immersed in the natural world that helped to bring their focus to the present moment while providing relief from everyday worries. Experiences in nature were perceived to instill a sense of perspective, that included feelings of awe, gratitude and interconnection with nature, which positively impacted mental health. A range of systemic and psychological factors that constrained participants’ connection to nature were the focus of the theme <em>barriers to nature connection</em>. Social norms associated with modern life (such as lack of time and failing to prioritize nature experiences) were viewed as a systemic barrier that resulted in a “significant gap between young people and nature.” Other systemic barriers included challenges due to accessibility and equitable access to nature, mainly related to distance from nature or costs associated with accessing nature. Fear also emerged as a substantial psychological barrier, especially for female participants. Fear was often related to perceived safety concerns in nature and was sometimes due to a lack of familiarity with nature or the fears of their parents. The final theme, <em>nature connection in the face of climate and ecological crisis</em>, explored the relationship between nature connection and pro-environmental behaviors. Although participants shared their negative emotions (such as eco-anxiety, hopelessness and feeling overwhelmed) in response to the climate and ecological crises, “the potential for nature connection to act as a powerful catalyst for pro-environmental behavior” was also revealed. According to participants, immersive experiences in nature were important in “evoking an intrinsic urge to protect the natural world.”
Importantly, findings suggest that nature connectedness may help young people cope with a variety of climate-related emotions while simultaneously encouraging their action for the environment. Findings also call attention to the barriers young people perceive to limit their ability to meaningfully connect with nature. Because nature connectedness is linked to mental health and pro-environmental behavior, the authors contend that nature connectedness is a basic human right and efforts must be made to address the barriers that hinder equitable access to nature. The authors also outline program and policy implications aimed at prioritizing young people’s connection with nature.
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