Enhancing Adolescent Girls’ Well-Being in the Arctic—Finding What Motivates Spending Time in Nature

Varpu Wiens, Kari Soronen, Helvi Kyngäs and Tarja Pölkki
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Varpu Wiens: Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
Kari Soronen: Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Lapland, 96101 Rovaniemi, Finland
Helvi Kyngäs: Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland
Tarja Pölkki: Research Unit of Nursing Science and Health Management, University of Oulu, 90014 Oulu, Finland

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-16

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.

Keywords: well-being; motivation; nature; adolescent; arctic; qualitative; second analysis; adolescent girls (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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