Flow With Nature Treatment for Depression: Participants’ Experiences

Abstract

This study examined Flow with Nature (FWN) treatment, which is an integrative intervention (rehabilitation) based on eco and environmental psychology, psychotherapeutic theories and professional psychological practice. FWN is intended for depression rehabilitation with the help of social support, nature environments and FWN exercises. Exercises encourage sensing the environment, mindful awareness, psychological processing and focusing on the future. The FWN treatment proceeds in separate stages (horizon, growth and path), which emphasise nature, group (social support) and FWN exercises differently. This study focused on the experiences of the participants in the FWN treatment. Finnish adults who had been diagnosed with clinical depression took part in the FWN treatment (N = 82) and answered feedback questions (by paper, electronic questionnaire or phone discussion). Answers were analysed using theory-based content analysis. Data were collected between spring 2019 and spring 2020. The majority of the participants were women (82%) and on average 44 years old. Content analysis revealed that the participant feedback answers were in agreement with the central theoretical themes of FWN. The participants emphasised the significance of nature, social support and exercises differently. Moreover, the significance of these ingredients differed according to the stages of treatment: in the horizon stage restorative (e.g., fascination) and comprehensive nature experiences (e.g., connectedness with nature), in the growth stage social support (e.g., peer support) and in the path stage environmental self-regulation (e.g., nature as a part of life) were emphasised. These results are in accordance with the objectives of the stages and seem to support the phase-based rationale. The participants’ experiences of the key elements of the intervention, social support and nature environment were experienced mainly positively, which supports their inclusion in future intervention versions. In the future, FWN exercises should be developed to better enable participants’ possibilities for concentration and being present in the moment (mindfulness). Exercises should also be simplified to match the target group’s cognitive abilities.

Nature-Based Interventions for Psychological Wellbeing in Long-Term Conditions: A Systematic Review

“…Nevertheless, the use of virtual environments within NBIs may address some of the barriers to engagement discussed above, particularly for those who are unable to access real-life nature environments. For example, a recent study that was interrupted by the COVID-19 restrictions also found that conducting many elements of NBIs remotely also had therapeutic gain for participants with depression [ 120 ].…”

Small-scale urban design interventions: A framework for deploying cities as resource for mental health and mental health literacy

“…First, building on the Restorative Cities Framework ( Roe and McCay, 2021 ), design interventions in the urban context can offer or stimulate activities that proved to be beneficial for mental health and wellbeing. These include for example physical activity ( Tamminen et al, 2020 ), exercises in mindfulness ( Davidson et al, 2003 ), contact with nature (e.g., Alvarsson et al, 2010 ; Ryan et al, 2014 ; Salonen et al, 2022 ), and social interaction ( Umberson and Montez, 2010 ). Additionally, urban design interventions can provide information on prevention of mental health issues such as stress reduction.…”

Regulación emocional en adolescentes

“…Depende del momento en que la persona decida establecer el contacto con la naturaleza y sus objetivos. Al respecto, hay evidencia de intervenciones efectivas para la depresión, en adultos que han usado la naturaleza como parte del tratamiento, y han encontrado disminución significativa de la sintomatología depresiva y aumento del bienestar mental positivo (Korpela et al, 2016;Salonen, 2022).…”