Mothers’ accounts of the impact of being in nature on postnatal wellbeing: a focus group study

BMC Women's Health

Research

Rosa Roberts¹  Katrina Turner²  Katherine Hall³  Jonathan Evans³  Richard Brown⁴  Christopher Barnes⁵ 

[1] Avon and Wiltshire Partnership NHS Trust, Bath, UK;Centre for Academic Mental Health and Centre for Academic Primary Care, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK;Centre for Academic Mental Health, Population Health Sciences, Bristol Medical School, University of Bristol, Bristol, UK;Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK;School of Psychology, College of Health, Psychology and Social Care, University of Derby, Derby, UK;

关键词: Postnatal depression;    Nature;    Outdoors;    Nature-based interventions;    Mothers;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12905-023-02165-x

 received in 2022-10-21, accepted in 2023-01-09,  发布年份 2023

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe postnatal period is a vulnerable time for mothers to experience stress and mental health difficulties. There is increasing evidence that spending time in nature is beneficial for wellbeing. Nature-based interventions have been developed to support mental health, but not specifically tailored for mothers during the postnatal period. Understanding mothers’ views and experiences of nature would help determine the suitability for and potential impact of such interventions on postnatal wellbeing.AimsTo explore mothers’ views on the impact of spending time in nature on their postnatal mental wellbeing.MethodsFocus groups were held with mothers of young children (under five), including mothers from migrant and refugee communities, mothers living with mental health difficulties, and disabled mothers. Data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.ResultsFour focus groups were held, with a total of 30 participants. Six themes were developed: (1) mothers’ experiences of what constitutes ‘nature’; (2) sensing nature improves wellbeing; (3) natural spaces facilitate human connection; (4) nature provides escape and relief from daily indoor stressors; (5) nature allows new perspectives; and (6) mothers face a variety of environmental, practical, psychological, physical, socioeconomic, and cultural barriers to spending time in nature during the postnatal period.ConclusionsMothers report significant benefits to their postnatal wellbeing when spending time in nature. Further research is warranted to understand whether nature-based interventions have the potential to support postnatal wellbeing, socially, mentally, and physically.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© The Author(s) 2023