Nature-Based Recreational Therapy for Military Service Members: A Strengths Approach

Hawkins, Brent L.; Townsend, Jasmine; Garst, Barry A.

doi:10.18666/trj-2016-v50-i1-6793

Cited by 35 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 22 publications

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“…Adopting what Hawkins, Townsend and Garst (2016) describe as a strengths-based approach, these findings illustrate the ways in which exercise can add to lifein the form of positive experiencesrather than simply what it might take away in the form of problems (Caddick & Smith, 2014;Carless & Douglas, 2010a). For example, Carless et al (2013) described how participating in an adventure training and sports camp ('Battle Back') helped veterans to restore a sense of purpose in life, and reconnected them with other people and with activities they used to enjoy prior to experiencing trauma but had since ceased to take part in.…”

Section: Qualitative Contributions To Understanding "Exercise Is Medimentioning

confidence: 93%

Exercise is medicine for mental health in military veterans: a qualitative commentary

Caddick

Smith

2017

Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health

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Different approaches to treatment for mental health problems in military veterans continue to attract research attention. In addition to the NICE-approved treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy and eye-movement desensitisation and reprocessing, a number of novel and innovative approaches have recently been developed. One such approach is encapsulated under the emerging paradigm of 'exercise as/is medicine'. Following recent calls to strengthen the evidence base for new and emerging mental health treatments for veterans, this paper presents a commentary on current evidence in support of 'exercise as medicine' derived from qualitative research studies. It is concluded that qualitative research has made a significant contribution to the emerging evidence base for exercise-based interventions. This evidence base can be used to inform current debates about quality assurance in the area of veterans' mental healthcare and to underpin quality provision for service users. Qualitative research also has a significant future contribution to make toward improving the evaluation of novel treatment approaches, generating more impactful research, and increasing the applicability of research findings in 'exercise as/is medicine'. The paper closes with some critical reflections on the role of exercise-based interventions as a means of helping veterans improve their mental health.

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Section: Qualitative Contributions To Understanding "Exercise Is Medimentioning

confidence: 93%

Exercise is medicine for mental health in military veterans: a qualitative commentary

Caddick

Smith

2017

Qualitative Research in Sport, Exercise and Health

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“…An alternative strengths-based strategy for PTSD treatment has been various forms of recreation-based ecotherapy (Hawkins et al, 2016). Strength-based approaches focus on internal strengths (e.g., interests, beliefs, talent abilities, skills, knowledge, aspirations, character strengths, virtues), external strengths (e.g., family support and involvement, social support, positive attitudes, community and home resources, ecological factors) and existing skill sets (e.g., character strengths, military skill sets).…”

Section: Physical and Mental Health Disordersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ecotherapy – A Forgotten Ecosystem Service: A Review

Summers

Vivian

2018

Front. Psychol.

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Natural ecosystems provide important services upon which humans depend. Unfortunately, some people tend to believe that these services are provided by nature for free; therefore, the services have little or no value. One nearly forgotten ecosystem service is ecotherapy – the ability of interaction with nature to enhance healing and growth. While we do not pay for this service, its loss can result in a cost to humans resulting in slower recovery times, greater distress and reduced well-being. Losses in these images of nature can diminish our basic happiness. Little is understood or, at least, appreciated concerning the potential ecotherapy benefits of the natural environment and its ecosystem services. The complex and interactive relationship of ecosystems, their services and human well-being is poorly acknowledged in the broad social, philosophical, psychological and economic well-being literature. In this article, we examine the role of nature and its ecosystem services in ecotherapy and its associated enhancement of recovery from physical and mental illness through a review of studies evaluating this ecosystem service-recovery connection.

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“…When these traumatic injuries are facilitated and supported by a family professional (e.g., therapist, Certified Family Life Educator, Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialist) who understands the experiences of military service members and leisure, the individual may be better equipped and empowered to navigate potential barriers to leisure and faster in their return to healthy functioning. Thus, family leisure involvement could play an important role in the recovery efforts of the individual service member, which could contribute to overall family well‐being as well (Hawkins, Townsend, & Garst, ; Townsend, Van Puymbroeck, & Zabriskie, ).…”

Section: Creation Of Military Family Leisure Experiencesmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Creation of Military Family Leisure Experiences

Melton

Townsend

Hodge

2018

J of Family Theo & Revie

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This article provides a theoretical model that positions family leisure experiences as a mechanism for positive family outcomes and resilience in military families. The article integrates the Creation of Family Experiences (CFE) framework with literature on military families, family leisure, and structured experiences. The CFE framework is a conceptual model that provides a lens for examining the context of family activities in order to better identify benefits for human development and family relations. When contextualized within military settings, the CFE can be used to understand and systematically optimize military family leisure experiences. It is critical to consider the experiences of military families (e.g., relocation, deployment, reunion) and how those experiences interact with family leisure experiences to produce resilient families. Future research and practice should consider this application of the CFE framework when seeking to explain, support, and program recreation‐based activities for military families.

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Nature-Based Recreational Therapy for Military Service Members: A Strengths Approach

Cited by 35 publications

References 22 publications

Exercise is medicine for mental health in military veterans: a qualitative commentary

Exercise is medicine for mental health in military veterans: a qualitative commentary

Ecotherapy – A Forgotten Ecosystem Service: A Review

The Creation of Military Family Leisure Experiences

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