‘An Embodied Journey Towards Recovery’: A Grounded Theory of Mental Health Service Users’ Experiences of a Nature-based Intervention

Abstract

Background Nature-based interventions (NBIs) have been identified to support a recovery-oriented approach for people experiencing mental health issues. However, there is still limited knowledge related to how mental health service users experience their recovery process when engaged in NBIs.

Aim To explore and explain how mental health service users experience the process of personal recovery from participating in a newly developed NBI.

Materials and Methods The study was conducted using constructivist grounded theory and included 20 participants. The NBI, including equine-assisted therapy, was delivered in groups at a farm-based rehabilitation centre. Purposeful sampling was used, and in-depth interviews were performed on site. Data were analysed in an iterative, comparative process. During the analysis, NVIVO 14 was used to organise and manage the data systematically.

Results The grounded theory of the core concept ‘A process of embodied recovery’, described the participants’ experiences of personal recovery during the NBI and included three concepts: ‘Experiencing interconnection’ through transactions with the environment, ‘Processing inner connection’ through reflection and ‘Feeling intra-connected’ through integration of self and body as a whole in everyday life.

Conclusion and Significance The NBI provides positive multisensory experiences to support personal recovery among mental health service users. The findings hold significant implications for the advancement of recovery-oriented services in mental health care, including occupational therapy.