Enhancing Adolescent Girls’ Well-Being in the Arctic—Finding What Motivates Spending Time in Nature

Abstract

Background: According to previous studies, the natural environment positively influences well-being, including that of adolescent girls. However, knowledge is lacking on what motivates adolescent girls to spend time in nature. A secondary analysis of qualitative data was conducted employing three preexisting sets of interview data that had formed the basis of previously published research reports. A novel perspective on what motivates adolescent girls in the Arctic to spend time in nature was uncovered—a finding that previous articles have not reported. Aim: The aim was to describe what motivates adolescent girls in the Arctic to spend time in nature. Methods: The participants were adolescent girls aged 13 to 16 living in the province of Finnish Lapland. The girls wrote about well-being (n = 117) and were interviewed (n = 19) about the meaning of seasonal changes, nature and animals’ influence on well-being. Also, five focus group interviews (n = 17) were held. The materials were analyzed by inductive content analysis. Results: After the secondary analysis, three generic categories were found: 1) wanting to have pleasant emotions, 2) the possibility of participating in activities and 3) a desire to feel better. The main category of “need to experience positive sensations” was formed. Conclusion: Based on these results, through personalized guidance and advice, it is possible to strengthen adolescent girls’ willingness to spend time in nature.

Elevating the Role of the Outdoor Environment for Adolescent Wellbeing in Everyday Life

“…Different pathways to wellbeing can occur at different levels of interaction, ranging from indirect engagement when looking at some trees through a window, to more incidental engagement when passing a park on the way to school, to more purposive use when playing sports ( Pretty, 2004 ). For example, a study from Finland revealed girls aged 13–16 visited nature to experience pleasant emotions, be active and feel better ( Wiens et al, 2021 ). Other nature-based activities, such as wilderness therapy and outdoor education are also used to treat mental health problems, boost self-esteem and enhance learning ( Barton et al, 2016 ; Mutz and Muller, 2016 ; Manner et al, 2020 ).…”

“…Despite adolescence being a period of declining physical activity ( Bélanger et al, 2019 ), exercise is one of the main reasons for youth to venture outside ( Lopes et al, 2018 ; Hakoköngäs and Puhakka, 2021 ; Wiens et al, 2021 ) and physical activity generally increases outdoors ( Dunton et al, 2007 ; Pagels et al, 2014 ; Bélanger et al, 2019 ). This makes it an important mediator between time spent outdoors and wellbeing.…”