Enhancing adolescent girls’ well-being in the Arctic : finding what motivates spending time in nature

Abstract

<div lang="en" class="abs"><p class="abs_header">Abstract</p><p><em>Background:</em>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.</p><p><em>Aim:</em>The aim was to describe what motivates adolescent girls in the Arctic to spend time in nature.</p><p><em>Methods:</em>The participants were adolescent girls aged 13 to 16 living in the province of Finnish Lapland. The girls wrote about well-being (<em>n</em> = 117) and were interviewed (<em>n</em> = 19) about the meaning of seasonal changes, nature and animals’ influence on well-being. Also, five focus group interviews (<em>n</em> = 17) were held. The materials were analyzed by inductive content analysis.</p><p><em>Results:</em>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.</p><p><em>Conclusion:</em>Based on these results, through personalized guidance and advice, it is possible to strengthen adolescent girls’ willingness to spend time in nature.</p></div>