“That Was the Happiest Time of My Life”: Understanding Childhood Eco-Connections in Appalachian Communities

Sherry Hamby (), Katherine M. Montgomery, Heather L. Storer and Victoria Banyard
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Sherry Hamby: Department of Psychology, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN 37383, USA
Katherine M. Montgomery: Department of Psychology, The University of the South, Sewanee, TN 37383, USA
Heather L. Storer: Kent School of Social Work, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY 40292, USA
Victoria Banyard: School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 24, 1-14

Abstract: The goal of this study was to explore facets of childhood eco-connections, using retrospective qualitative data from adults. One hundred and forty-five adults from predominantly rural and small-town communities in southern Appalachia (71.7% female), average age 36.23 years (SD = 12.08) participated in semi-structured qualitative interviews on key life experiences and the places they grew up. Mentions about place-related childhood memories or interactions were grouped into four themes based on exploratory thematic content analysis: nature nostalgia (positive reminiscences about nature experiences); nature immersion (extensive contact with the natural world during childhood); formative experiences with nature (nature interactions that taught a skill or life lesson); and rhythms of nature (appreciation of seasonal or cyclical patterns). Childhood eco-connections are multifaceted and often emerge from early impactful or intense experiences. Pro-environmentalism messages to youth may benefit from more references to childhood eco-connections.

Keywords: ecopsychology; connection to nature; sense of place; place attachment; Appalachia (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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