Date Available
7-30-2024
Year of Publication
2024
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Document Type
Doctoral Dissertation
College
Education
Department/School/Program
Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology
First Advisor
Kathleen Aspiranti, PhD
Second Advisor
Isaac Woods, Jr., PhD
Abstract
Nature-based interventions (NBI) have demonstrated positive effects on a range of student outcomes, including enhanced prosocial behaviors, decreased levels of stress, and improved mood and concentration. Further, school-aged children’s participation in NBIs supports students’ reconnection with the natural world. Although schools represent an ideal setting to engage students from diverse backgrounds in NBI activities, existing research is limited in understanding the effects and feasibility of integrating NBIs within school settings. This study aimed to explore the effects of NBI activities administered within a school program on students’ sense of connectedness with nature and their overall wellbeing. Additionally, participants were interviewed to evaluate their thoughts and perspectives on the intervention activities. Participants (n = 10) included children ages 8-12 years old who were enrolled in a summer school program in the Midwest region of the United States. Participants assigned to the intervention condition engaged in eight NBI activities over the course of a two-week summer school program. Pre- and post-measures of the Connection to Nature Index (CNI) and wellbeing check card were implemented across conditions to measure participants’ connectedness to nature and wellbeing. Children in the intervention condition showed a significant increase in connectedness to nature following their participation in the NBI, whereas those in the control condition showed no changes in their nature connection. No significant differences were found in students’ sense of wellbeing across time or condition. Interviews with participants in the intervention condition revealed evaluative insight regarding students’ enjoyment of the NBI activities, perceived impact of the NBI, and barriers to intervention implementation. These findings support the potential benefits of integrating simple, NBI activities into the school day.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.13023/etd.2024.318
Recommended Citation
Bird, Alexis, "Building Children's Connection to Nature in the Schools: A Piloted Nature-Based Intervention" (2024). Theses and Dissertations--Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology. 119.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/edp_etds/119
