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

• Main Authors: Varpu Wiens, Kari Soronen, Helvi Kyngäs, Tarja Pölkki
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-02-01
• Series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
• Subjects: well-being; motivation; nature; adolescent; arctic; qualitative
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/18/4/2052

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 (<i>n </i>= 117) and were interviewed (<i>n </i>= 19) about the meaning of seasonal changes, nature and animals’ influence on well-being. Also, five focus group interviews (<i>n </i>= 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.