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

AI Summary

Core grounded theory: "A process of embodied recovery" describes how NBIs support personal recovery through multisensory engagement.
Recovery unfolds via three interrelated processes: experiencing interconnection with environment, processing inner connection through reflection, and feeling intra-connected in everyday life.
Findings indicate NBIs have significant implications for recovery-oriented mental health services, informing occupational therapy practice and service development.

AI Summary

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

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.

Basic summary

Scand J Occup Ther. 2026 Jul 22;33(1):3. doi: 10.1007/s44474-026-00003-5.

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.

PMID:42484954 | DOI:10.1007/s44474-026-00003-5

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