Connecting to nature : how nature facilitates wellness
department or school: Education, Faculty of
department or school: Educational and Counselling Psychology, and Special Education (ECPS), Department of
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCV
creator: Nicol, Valerie J.
issued: 2009-03-10T17:38:10Z
issued: 1997
related degree: Master of Arts - MA
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
description: This study posed the question: How does connecting to nature facilitate welless. The Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, 1954) was employed to develop a reasonably comprehensive scheme of categories that describe what, in connecting to nature, facilitates wellness. Twelve participants were interviewed which resulted in the elicitation of 80 critical incidents. These incidents were organized into seven categories wliich were tested for soundness and trustworthiness. The categories indicate that wellness can be facilitated by: observation of the natural environment, observation of animals, activities in nature, overcoming a challenge in nature, performing a ceremony in nature, expressing feelings in nature, and extraordinary experiences in nature. A preliminary examination of the outcomes described in the 80 critical incidents suggests that empowennent, relaxation, release, perspective and connection can result from making a connection to nature. A preliminary examination of what led up to the critical incidents was also conducted and revealed that emotional turmoil, decision-making, engaging in outdoor activities and work are possible precursors to the facilitation of wellness in nature. The findings of this study are presented in a reasonably comprehensive scheme of categories that describe how nature can facilitate wellness. These findings contribute to the field of counselhng psychology by providing an exploratory examination of an area previously overlooked, and by indicating potential implications for both research and practice.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/5832
extent: 2842960 bytes
format: application/pdf
note: CONNECTING TO NATURE: HOW NATURE FACILITATES WELLNESS by VALERIE J. NICOL B.A., University of Victoria, 1986 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in THE FACULTY OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Department of Counselling Psychology) We accept this thesis as confonning to the required standard THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA © Valerie L Nicol, 1997 In presenting this thesis in partial fulfilment of the requirements for an advanced degree at the University of British Columbia, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for reference and study. I further agree that permission for extensive copying of this thesis for scholarly purposes may be granted by the head of my department or by his or her representatives. It is understood that copying or publication of this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Department of OooNmx/KiCv. ftyrf/OLnr^y The University of British Columbia Vancouver, Canada Date /Imu -T., IQQ7 DE-6 (2/88) ABSTRACT This study posed the question: How does connecting to nature facilitate welless. The Critical Incident Technique (Flanagan, 1954) was employed to develop a reasonably comprehensive scheme of categories that describe what, in connecting to nature, facilitates wellness. Twelve participants were interviewed which resulted in the elicitation of 80 critical incidents. These incidents were organized into seven categories wliich were tested for soundness and trustworthiness. The categories indicate that wellness can be facilitated by: observation of the natural environment, observation of animals, activities in nature, overcoming a challenge in nature, performing a ceremony in nature, expressing feelings in nature, and extraordinary experiences in nature. A preliminary examination of the outcomes described in the 80 critical incidents suggests that empowennent, relaxation, release, perspective and connection can result from making a connection to na…
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 1997-05
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0054026
language: eng
degree discipline: Counselling Psychology
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use.
scholar level: Graduate
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/5832