Can a Community of Men in a Nature-Based Association Facilitate Well-Being and Promote Connectedness? A Theory-Based Qualitative Case Study
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9020904 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Rebekka L D Andersen (0009-0000-1720-9597, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark), Aida Hougaard Andersen (0000-0001-5848-1706, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark), James A Christiansen (0000-0002-1667-4929, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark), Julie Christiansen (University of Southern Denmark), Tine Taulbjerg Kristensen (0000-0002-0730-6120, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark), Mathias Lasgaard (0000-0001-5808-8883, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark), Kirsten Kaya Roessler (0000-0001-6605-7999, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2026 |
| Publication date | 2026-01-24 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Humanistic Psychology (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0022-1678 • E-ISSN: 1552-650X |
| Publisher | SAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US) |
| DOI | 10.1177/00221678251413057 |
| OpenAlex | W7125641152 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 28 |
The present study examined social connectedness in a nature-based association. Social isolation and loneliness are pressing public health concerns linked to adverse outcomes. We aimed to explore potential benefits of an authentic framework where a group of men with long-term illness was studied in a nature-based association. The study was a theory-driven case study in which data were collected on different occasions in various nature areas. Fifteen semi-structured interviews and multiple group-based observations were performed and analyzed using a theory-based thematic analysis. The participants had a mean age of 72, the majority being retired. Different themes were identified, including being met with open arms, being in the same boat, being a community of men, gaining new knowledge, and being/getting back to oneself. Spending time together in nature with others with similar experiences of long-term illness was experienced as meaningful for these participants. The self-organized nature-based association offered rituals for relational communication, with promising indications for the long-term effects of future health interventions
Association (psychology · Interpersonal relationship · Isolation (microbiology · Loneliness · Public health · Qualitative research · Social connectedness · Social isolation · Thematic analysis · Health disparities and outcomes · Outdoor and Experiential Education · Urban Green Space and Health
Nature-assisted therapy
Loneliness and the onset of new mental health problems in the general population
Loneliness around the world
Gender Differences in Loneliness
Social Connection as a Public Health Issue
Gender and global health
“Where are all the lonely people?” A population-based study of high-risk groups across the life span
Thematic analysis.
The Wildman Programme. A Nature-Based Rehabilitation Programme Enhancing Quality of Life for Men on Long-Term Sick Leave
The Impact of Culture-, Health- and Nature-Based Engagement on Mitigating the Adverse Effects of Public Health Restrictions on Wellbeing, Social Connectedness and Loneliness during Covid-19
The Wildman Programme—Rehabilitation and Reconnection with Nature for Men with Mental or Physical Health Problems—A Matched-Control Study
Mental health benefits of nature-based recreation
Using thematic analysis in psychology
Men, masculinity, and the contexts of help seeking
Five Misunderstandings About Case-Study Research
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |