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Mindfulness Training plus Nature Exposure for Veterans with Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders: A Model Intervention

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  • William R. Marchand

    (VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA
    Park City Sailing Association, Park City, UT 84098, USA
    Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA)

  • William Klinger

    (VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA)

  • Ken Block

    (Park City Sailing Association, Park City, UT 84098, USA)

  • Scott VerMerris

    (Park City Sailing Association, Park City, UT 84098, USA)

  • Tracy S. Herrmann

    (VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA)

  • Crystal Johnson

    (VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA)

  • Nicole Paradiso

    (Park City Sailing Association, Park City, UT 84098, USA)

  • Michael Scott

    (VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA)

  • Brandon Yabko

    (VA Salt Lake City Health Care System, 500 Foothill, Salt Lake City, UT 84148 USA
    Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, 501 Chipeta Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA)

Abstract

There is a need to develop novel complementary interventions aimed at enhancing treatment engagement and/or response for veterans with psychiatric and substance use disorders. There is evidence that both mindfulness training and nature exposure (MT/NE) may be beneficial for this population and that combining the two approaches into one intervention might result in synergistic benefit. However, to date, the MT/NE concept has not been tested. This article reports a pilot feasibility and acceptability study of MT/NE which was, in this case, provided via recreational sailing. The primary aim of this project was to develop a model intervention and evaluation process that could be used for future studies of MT/NE interventions using a variety of methods of nature exposure (e.g., hiking, skiing, mountain biking). Results indicate preliminary evidence that it is feasible to utilize MT/NE interventions for the population studied and that the MT/NE model described can serve as a template for future investigations. Further, there were significant pre- to post-intervention decreases in state anxiety, as well as increases in trait mindfulness. Three psychological instruments were identified that might be used in future studies to evaluate MT/NE outcomes. Results from this project provide a model MT/NE intervention template along with evaluation metrics for use in future studies.

Suggested Citation

  • William R. Marchand & William Klinger & Ken Block & Scott VerMerris & Tracy S. Herrmann & Crystal Johnson & Nicole Paradiso & Michael Scott & Brandon Yabko, 2019. "Mindfulness Training plus Nature Exposure for Veterans with Psychiatric and Substance Use Disorders: A Model Intervention," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-10, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:16:y:2019:i:23:p:4726-:d:291261
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Erica R. Timko Olson & Margaret M. Hansen & Amber Vermeesch, 2020. "Mindfulness and Shinrin-Yoku: Potential for Physiological and Psychological Interventions during Uncertain Times," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-13, December.
    2. Linda Powers Tomasso & Jie Yin & Jose Guillermo Cedeño Laurent & Jarvis T. Chen & Paul J. Catalano & John D. Spengler, 2021. "The Relationship between Nature Deprivation and Individual Wellbeing across Urban Gradients under COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-20, February.
    3. Jin Gun Kim & Jinyoung Jeon & Won Sop Shin, 2021. "The Influence of Forest Activities in a University Campus Forest on Student’s Psychological Effects," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(5), pages 1-16, March.

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