Mothers' accounts of the impact of being in nature on postnatal wellbeing: a focus group study.
Mothers
Nature
Nature-based interventions
Outdoors
Postnatal depression
Journal
BMC women's health
ISSN: 1472-6874
Titre abrégé: BMC Womens Health
Pays: England
ID NLM: 101088690
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
23 Jan 2023
23 Jan 2023
Historique:
received:
21
10
2022
accepted:
09
01
2023
entrez:
23
1
2023
pubmed:
24
1
2023
medline:
26
1
2023
Statut:
epublish
Résumé
The 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. To explore mothers' views on the impact of spending time in nature on their postnatal mental wellbeing. Focus 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. Four 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. Mothers 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.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
BACKGROUND
The 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.
AIMS
OBJECTIVE
To explore mothers' views on the impact of spending time in nature on their postnatal mental wellbeing.
METHODS
METHODS
Focus 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.
RESULTS
RESULTS
Four 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.
CONCLUSIONS
CONCLUSIONS
Mothers 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.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36690989
doi: 10.1186/s12905-023-02165-x
pii: 10.1186/s12905-023-02165-x
pmc: PMC9869311
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
32Informations de copyright
© 2023. The Author(s).
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