Freedom to Be - An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of the Experience of Connection with Nature in the Forest
Abstract
This qualitative phenomenological study explores the experience of connection with nature in the forest setting. Research on nature-based therapies and health promotion interventions suggests that connecting with nature is important to receive optimal health benefits from nature contact. The research evidence suggests that the concept of connection with nature is commonly characterized as a stable trait, typically assessed using quantitative psychometric scales. However, the experience of connection with nature varies from person to person and from place to place, and there is scant research that explores the intricacies of the lived experience of this phenomenon.
Employing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), this study aimed to investigate the lived experiences of adults who value connecting with nature in the forest and what this experience means to the informant’s health and well-being. Two research questions guided this study. The primary research question was: What is the experience of connection with nature in the forest setting? The secondary research question was: What does the experience of connection with nature mean to health and well-being? Semi-structured interviews and the go-along method were used to generate rich, detailed descriptions of the phenomenon from ten (n=10) adults residing in Ontario, Canada.
Data analysis from the informant’s accounts illuminated four superordinate themes: (a) grounded body awareness; (b) temporal awareness; (c) nurturing and nourishing relationships; (d) personal wellness promotion practice. Informants expressed that the experience was grounding, relaxing, and restorative, relieved bodily tension and stress, and enhanced vitality, mindfulness, and overall mood. The experience was also viewed as an opportunity for solitude, self-care, and reflection, which enhanced feelings of belonging and created meaning in informants’ lives.
This study is one of the first to investigate the lived experience of connection with nature in the forest setting. Insights generated in this paper provide new contributions to our understanding of connection with nature as a subjective experience. Implications for ecotherapy, health promotion, and future research are provided.