Abstract
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.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 2052 |
Pages (from-to) | 1-17 |
Number of pages | 17 |
Journal | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health |
Volume | 18 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 19 Feb 2021 |
MoEC publication type | A1 Journal article-refereed |
Keywords
- Adolescent
- Adolescent girls
- Arctic
- Motivation
- Nature
- Qualitative
- Second analysis
- Well‐being
Field of science
- Social policy