Can mindfulness enhance connectedness with nature? The case of in-depth nature experiences with adolescents

Simple item page
dc.contributor.authorMcCloskey, Jake A.
dc.contributor.supervisorRowe, James K.
dc.date.accessioned2018-05-03T14:59:59Z
dc.date.available2018-05-03T14:59:59Z
dc.date.copyright2018en_US
dc.date.issued2018-05-03
dc.degree.departmentSchool of Environmental Studiesen_US
dc.degree.levelMaster of Arts M.A.en_US
dc.description.abstractThis thesis is an exploratory look into the use of mindfulness practice on in-depth nature experiences to determine if the practice has benefit to the participant, their outdoor experience, and overall connectedness with nature. An original research project examined three groups of adolescents from St. Michaels University School Outdoor Education program in Victoria, BC, Canada, as they hiked the Juan de Fuca trail. Two of the three groups undertook a simple mindfulness protocol to explore the outcomes. Based on participant-observation and interviews, mindfulness practice was determined to be a useful practice towards alleviating stress and anxiety associated with aspects of in-depth outdoor experiences, such as morning preparations. Participants who practiced mindfulness on the trip asked fewer questions about the future and remained present more often than those who did not practice mindfulness. A further finding was that there are aspects of mindfulness inherent in in-depth nature experiences, such as sitting around a fire. These inherent mindfulness moments should be encouraged as they provide benefit to trip experiences, and potentially towards greater connectedness with nature. Overall, this qualitative study suggests that mindfulness is a useful tool for the benefit of human well-being and nature connection. However, more research is needed to further identify the magnitude and mechanisms of the benefit.en_US
dc.description.scholarlevelGraduateen_US
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1828/9340
dc.languageEnglisheng
dc.language.isoenen_US
dc.rightsAvailable to the World Wide Weben_US
dc.subjectmindfulnessen_US
dc.subjectmeditationen_US
dc.subjectsit spoten_US
dc.subjectmindfulness practiceen_US
dc.subjectnatureen_US
dc.subjectnature experienceen_US
dc.subjectnature connectionen_US
dc.subjectconnectedness with natureen_US
dc.subjecthuman/nature connectionen_US
dc.subjectnature associationen_US
dc.subjectassociation with natureen_US
dc.subjectCWNen_US
dc.subjectnature affiliationen_US
dc.subjectbiophiliaen_US
dc.subjectnature deficit disorderen_US
dc.subjectattention restoration theoryen_US
dc.subjectbiophilia hypothesisen_US
dc.subjectpsycho-evolutionary theoryen_US
dc.subjectpsycho-evolutionary stress reduction theoryen_US
dc.subjectadolescenten_US
dc.subjectoutdoor educationen_US
dc.subjectnature educationen_US
dc.subjectwilderness therapyen_US
dc.subjectadventure therapyen_US
dc.subjectqualitativeen_US
dc.subjectnature experienceen_US
dc.subjectin-depth nature experienceen_US
dc.subjectstress-reductionen_US
dc.subjectanxiety reductionen_US
dc.subjectcampfireen_US
dc.subjecthikingen_US
dc.subjectbackcountryen_US
dc.subjectoutdooren_US
dc.subjectoutdoorsen_US
dc.subjectnatureen_US
dc.subjectMindfulness-based stress reductionen_US
dc.subjectMBSRen_US
dc.titleCan mindfulness enhance connectedness with nature? The case of in-depth nature experiences with adolescentsen_US
dc.typeThesisen_US

Files

Original bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Thumbnail Image
Name:
McCloskey_Jake_MA_2018.pdf
Size:
1.58 MB
Format:
Adobe Portable Document Format
Description:
Download
License bundle
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
No Thumbnail Available
Name:
license.txt
Size:
1.71 KB
Format:
Item-specific license agreed upon to submission
Description:
Download

Collections

Electronic Theses and Dissertations (ETD)
Theses (Environmental Studies)
 
University of Victoria Libraries

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.