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Published on: June 19, 2019
Enhancing Adolescent Girls' Well-Being in the Arctic-Finding What Motivates Spending Time in Nature
Varpu Wiens1, Kari Soronen2, Helvi Kyngäs1,3
1Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland.
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.
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