Improving Wellbeing and Environmental Stewardship Through Volunteering in Nature

Molsher, Robyn; Townsend, Mardie

doi:10.1007/s10393-015-1089-1

Cited by 29 publications

(28 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Volunteers were also found to be more extroverted and optimistic and to perceive a greater sense of control in their lives than non‐volunteers. In a small survey sample of mostly marginalised individuals, Molsher and Townsend () discovered that environmental volunteering led to significant improvements in general well‐being and mood states. In an exit interview, most participants attributed these improvements to the social aspect of the volunteering program and to learning about the environment.…”

Section: Benefits Of Volunteeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteering research in Australia: A narrative review

Kragt

Holtrop

2019

Australian Journal of Psychology

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Objective Australian research on volunteering is rich and diverse, but also increasingly fragmented. In an attempt to promote a more integrated study of volunteering, we review volunteering research conducted in Australia, using volunteering journey as a framework. Specifically, we summarise literature on volunteer characteristics, motivations, benefits, psychological contract, commitment, and withdrawal. Method A comprehensive review yielded 152 studies on volunteering conducted in Australia. Results We find that volunteers have distinct characteristics, such as being older, better connected, employed, and residing in rural areas. There are a variety of reasons that prompt individuals to volunteer, and this motivation does change over time. Volunteering leads to better psychological well‐being, as well as increases in social and human capital. Volunteer expectations and commitment are key drivers of ongoing volunteering. Finally, stress, work–family conflict, and negative interactions with others lead to volunteer withdrawal. Conclusion A lot is known about volunteering, however, future advancement of the field will depend on better integration across disciplines and domains. Currently, volunteering is viewed as a set of distinct stages, and a more integrated approach is required. We also note a lack of theoretical and methodological rigour in many Australian studies on volunteering.

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Section: Benefits Of Volunteeringmentioning

confidence: 99%

Volunteering research in Australia: A narrative review

Kragt

Holtrop

2019

Australian Journal of Psychology

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“…However, another study found that the quality of green spaces had a stronger bearing on health outcomes than quantity [26]. Other studies linked mental wellbeing with social activity, including volunteering, in green spaces [27,28]. Green spaces can enable newcomers and migrants to feel a sense of belonging through activities such as community gardening [29,30].…”

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confidence: 99%

Working out What Works: The Role of Tacit Knowledge Where Urban Greenspace Research, Policy and Practice Intersect

Dobson

Dempsey

2019

Sustainability

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Policymakers and practitioners working in urban greenspace management want to know what kind of interventions are effective in promoting mental wellbeing. In practice, however, they rely on multiple forms of knowledge, often in unwritten form. This paper considers how such knowledge is interpreted and used by a range of stakeholders to identify greenspace interventions to support residents’ health and wellbeing in one UK city. It examines the interface between academic research, policy and practice, drawing on the findings of a three-year study in Sheffield, UK. The Improving Wellbeing through the Urban Nature project investigated the links between ‘urban nature’ and mental health. One strand of the research sought to influence policy and practice, and this article presents findings and reflects on some of the processes of this exercise. It highlights the role of tacit knowledge in practice and its influence on practitioners’ choice of greenspace interventions and the challenges in drawing on such knowledge to influence policy. The findings affirm practice-based knowledge as socially situated, interpretively fashioned and politically weighted. This paper concludes by demonstrating the importance of considering the local context when devising policy prescriptions for greenspace provision and management.

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“…The influence of environmental 'harms' to public mental health have been well-studied (e.g. for air quality 70 ; the effect of climate change on health 71,72 ; food-borne toxins and poor diets 18, 73, well-being, with scholars going 'beyond toxicity' , to assess the benefits of engaging with the natural environment and in initiatives that seek to 're-green' the human environment 76,77,78 .…”

Section: What Is Already Known About This Topicmentioning

confidence: 99%

Participation in local food projects is associated with better psychological well-being: evidence from the East of England

Bharucha

Weinstein

Watson

et al. 2019

Journal of Public Health

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Background Studies suggest that local food may contribute to well-being, but do not use standardized measures, or control groups. Methods An online survey compared participants of local food initiatives (n = 302) with members of the general population (n = 157) in terms of scores on standardized measures of well-being and distress. Using hierarchical ordinary least squares regression models, we explored the relationship between participation and well-being via four mediators—nature connectedness, psychological need satisfaction, diet and physical activity. Results Participants scored higher than non-participants on life satisfaction (t(346) = 2.30, P = 0.02, ρr = 0.12) and the WEMWBS scale (t(335) = 2.12, P = 0.04, ρr = 0.10), but differences in psychological distress were insignificant. More actively engaged participants scored higher on positive well-being and longer duration participation was associated with higher life satisfaction and less psychological distress. Finally, we found that participation contributes to psychological need satisfaction, better diet and connection to nature, three known drivers of well-being. Conclusions Well-being may be a co-benefit of local food initiatives beyond the physical and psychological benefits of growing food. Further research is needed to explore the mediators driving these effects, quantify benefits, and track impacts over time and across different social groups.

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Improving Wellbeing and Environmental Stewardship Through Volunteering in Nature

Cited by 29 publications

References 8 publications

Volunteering research in Australia: A narrative review

Volunteering research in Australia: A narrative review

Working out What Works: The Role of Tacit Knowledge Where Urban Greenspace Research, Policy and Practice Intersect

Participation in local food projects is associated with better psychological well-being: evidence from the East of England

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