Perceived benefits of nature-based experiences as mediators of connectedness with nature: The case of Mystic Mountain

Ward-Smith, Chesney; Naidoo, Tony; Olvitt, Lausanne L; Olvitt, Lausanne; Akhurst, Jacqueline

Title: Perceived benefits of nature-based experiences as mediators of connectedness with nature: The case of Mystic Mountain
Creator: Ward-Smith, Chesney
Creator: Naidoo, Tony
Creator: Olvitt, Lausanne L
Creator: Olvitt, Lausanne
Creator: Akhurst, Jacqueline
Subject: To be catalogued
Date Issued: 2020
Date: 2020
Type: text
Type: article
Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/372782
Identifier: vital:66622
Identifier: xlink:href="https://doi.org/10.1177/00812463209470"
Description: Perceived nature disconnection lies at the heart of the world’s socio-ecological crisis. Finding ways to reconnect with nature is fundamental towards reducing the adverse psychological–social– ecological consequences of this disconnection. Understanding the psychological and social benefits of nature-based experiences is important towards actualising reconnection. This article discusses such benefits for child and adult participants from the Eastern Cape, South Africa. This work stems from Ecopsychology research with an outdoor education centre, Mystic Mountain. The experiences of two groups of children (n=25, aged 10–14years) and adult instructors (n=12, aged 18–50years) were explored using interpretive case-study methodology. Through semi-structured interviews and focus groups, participant observation, and reflexive journaling, data were collected and analysed thematically. This article centralises participants’ perceived psychological and social benefits of nature-based experiences as mediators of deeper self and nature connectedness. Integrating these benefits into nature-based pedagogy-design processes could contribute towards more effective enhancements of nature connectedness, and in turn, foster Earth’s larger flourishment.
Format: computer
Format: online resource
Format: application/pdf
Format: 1 online resource (12 pages)
Format: pdf
Publisher: Sage Publications
Language: English
Relation: South African Journal of Psychology
Relation: Ward-Smith, C., Naidoo, T., Olvitt, L. and Akhurst, J., 2020. Perceived benefits of nature-based experiences as mediators of connectedness with nature: the case of Mystic Mountain. South African Journal of Psychology, 50(4), pp.553-564
Relation: South African Journal of Psychology volume 50 number 4 p. 553 2020 2078-8208
Rights: Publisher
Rights: Use of this resource is governed by the terms and conditions of the Sage Journals Terms and Conditions Statement (https://journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/terms-of-use)
Rights: Closed Access

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Akhurst, Jacqueline Elizabeth (Prof)

Olvitt, Lausanne Laura (Dr)

RU Department of Psychology

RU DST/NRF SARChI for Global Change Social Learning Systems Development: Transformative Learning and Green Skills Learning (ELRC)

RU Department of Education

SDG 03. Good Health and Well-Being

SDG 04. Quality Education

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