Nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth: a scoping review

Overbey, Tracey; Diekmann, Florian; Lekies, Kristi S.

doi:10.1080/09603123.2021.1998390

Cited by 16 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 123 publications

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“…However, low participation rate, differences in participant characteristics, a broad spectrum of program characteristics, and several methodological limitations characterizing the studies presented in this review prevent detailed recommendations for clinical practice. A broad spectrum of program characteristics has previously been described within the field of adventure therapy [11], and another scoping review on nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth has confirmed the lack of studies using a methodologically robust empirical design to increase external validity [45]. Thus, future studies targeting more specific groups, including true comparison groups, and using methodological sound instruments for data collection and analyses are warranted.…”

Section: Gaps In Literaturementioning

confidence: 95%

Mapping the Concept, Content, and Outcome of Family-Based Outdoor Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

Stea

Jong

Fegran

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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Outdoor therapy and family-based therapy are suggested to be promising interventions for the treatment of mental health problems. The aim of the present scoping review was to systematically map the concept, content, and outcome of combining family- and outdoor-based therapy for children and adolescents with mental health problems. The Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA guidelines were applied. Eligible qualitative and quantitative studies were screened, included, and extracted for data. Seven studies were included. Findings from these studies indicated that family-based outdoor therapy programs have a positive impact on family- and peer relationships, adolescent behavior, mental health, self-perceptions (self-concept), school success, social engagement, and delinquency rates. However, participant characteristics, study design, and content and mode of delivery of the interventions varied substantially, hence preventing detailed comparison of outcomes across studies. In addition, most of the studies included few participants and lacked population diversity and comparable control groups. Although important ethical concerns were raised, such as non-voluntary participation in some of the programs, there was a lack of reporting on safety. This review indicates that a combination of family- and outdoor-based therapy may benefit mental health among children and adolescents, but due to the limited number of studies eligible for inclusion and high levels of heterogeneity, it was difficult to draw firm conclusions. Thus, future theory-based studies using robust designs are warranted.

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Section: Gaps In Literaturementioning

confidence: 95%

Mapping the Concept, Content, and Outcome of Family-Based Outdoor Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

Stea

Jong

Fegran

et al. 2022

IJERPH

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“…Future research can invest in culturally specific and community driven and engaged research that highlights community members’ capacity to ignite collective change. Nature-based healing and experiential outdoor programming are particularly promising avenues for such programming and may build off extant research centering these components (See for example: Carter et al, 2007 ; Linke, 2015 ; Overbey & Diekmann, 2021 ).…”

Section: Limitations and Future Directionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“We were always doing something outside. … I had a wonderful, wonderful life”: U.S. Indigenous peoples' subsistence, physical activity, and the natural world

McKinley¹

2022

SSM - Qualitative Research in Health

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“…2 Evidence of improved health-related outcomes following interacting with nature has been demonstrated in different populations. 14,[37][38][39][40][41][42][43] However, to our knowledge, no systematic review of NBIs has been conducted that explicitly focused on children with ASD. Based on the available literature, NBIs have the potential to address health and functional outcome gaps among children with ASD, particularly regarding subjective well-being.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…NBIs for children with ASD in the existing literature are typically classified either as animal-assisted interventions or categorized under the other category . Evidence of improved health-related outcomes following interacting with nature has been demonstrated in different populations . However, to our knowledge, no systematic review of NBIs has been conducted that explicitly focused on children with ASD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nature-Based Interventions for Autistic Children

Fan,

Li,

et al. 2023

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceThere is a gap in the evidence regarding nature-based interventions (NBIs) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).ObjectiveTo systematically review and meta-analyze available evidence on the health-related outcomes in NBIs for children with ASD.Data SourcesThe Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Cochrane, Embase, Emcare, Education Resources Information Center, Global Health, MEDLINE, PsycInfo, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science were searched from inception until May 2023. Google Scholar and references from included studies were searched for additional studies.Study SelectionIncluded studies were randomized clinical trials (RCTs), controlled studies, and single-group before-and-after studies that reported health-related outcomes.Data Extraction and SynthesisThis review adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Random-effects meta-analyses were used to synthesize the data. The findings of studies that were ineligible for meta-analysis were summarized according to the Synthesis Without Meta-analysis (SWIM) reporting guidelines.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe outcomes of interest were health-related outcomes (ie, social functioning, behavioral functioning, emotional functioning, sensory functioning) and the self-reported well-being of children with ASD.ResultsA total of 24 studies with 717 participants (mean age range, 5.3 to 17.8 years; 141 [21.9%] female) were included. A meta-analysis from 13 studies indicated a significant negative moderate association between NBIs and social communication (standardized mean difference [SMD], −0.59; 95% CI, −0.85 to −0.34). For behavioral functioning outcomes, NBIs showed a significant moderate association with reduced hyperactivity (SMD, −0.56; 95% CI, −0.86 to −0.26) and a small to moderate association with reduced irritability (SMD, −0.49; 95% CI, −0.79 to −0.19). For sensory functioning, NBIs were significantly associated with improved inattention and distractibility (SMD, 1.13; 95% CI, 0.67 to 1.60). Significant moderate associations were observed in sensory seeking (SMD, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.33 to 1.22; P &lt; .001; I2 = 0%) and sensory sensitivity (SMD, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.12 to 1.00; P = .01; I2 = 0%). Heterogeneity of the intervention effects was not high, and I2 ranged from 0% to 67%.Conclusions and RelevanceThe findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggested an association of NBIs in group-based recreational therapy with experiential learning with positive short-term outcomes on sensory, social, and behavioral functioning for children with ASD. Future evidence using robust study design to aid the health and functional trajectories of children with ASD is recommended.

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Nature-based interventions for vulnerable youth: a scoping review

Cited by 16 publications

References 123 publications

Mapping the Concept, Content, and Outcome of Family-Based Outdoor Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

Mapping the Concept, Content, and Outcome of Family-Based Outdoor Therapy for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Problems: A Scoping Review

“We were always doing something outside. … I had a wonderful, wonderful life”: U.S. Indigenous peoples' subsistence, physical activity, and the natural world

Nature-Based Interventions for Autistic Children

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