Journal List > J Korean Acad Nurs > v.39(3) > 1002534

TOOLS
Cha and Kim: Healing Effects of the Forest Experience on Alcoholics
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2009; 39(3): 338-348.

Published online: 29 June 2009

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.3.338

Healing Effects of the Forest Experience on Alcoholics

Jingyung Cha1, Sungjae Kim2

1Director, The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation KARF Men's Facility, Korea.

2Associate Professor, College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Sungjae. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 28 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Korea. Tel: 82-2-740-8814, Fax: 82-2-766-1852, sungjae@snu.ac.kr

Received 1 February 2009       Accepted 16 April 2009

Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe healing effects of the forest on alcoholics through a forest experience program.

Methods

The qualitative data was gathered from one focus group discussion with 6 alcoholics and individual interviews with 8 alcoholics. They had all participated in a "healing forest" program. All interviews were recorded and transcribed according to thematic content analysis processes.

Results

The four main themes on the attributes of forest were "a lively living being", "placidity and tranquility", "acceptive atmosphere", and "beautifulness as it is" which revealed the participants' perceived nature of the forest which was attributed to the healing effects. Eight other themes on participants' positive changes included "revived senses", "aspired to live", "relieved and relaxed from being tense", "gaining insight on self", "having an acceptive attitude", "becoming compliant with his/her life", "learning that life is being together" and "recognizing the value of one's existence".

Conclusion

The findings of the study illustrated the participants' self-healing processes through interactions with the nature of the forest. Nursing interventions utilizing healing atmospheres such as "healing forest" programs can be considered helpful in providing a venue to alcoholics to reflect on their lives affirmatively.

Keywords: Qualitative research, Focus groups, Individual interview, Alcoholics, Forest

Notes

This study was supported by research funds from Korea Forest Research Institute and The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation.

References

1. Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology. 2006. 3:77–101.
2. Cha JG. Effects of therapeutic community program on recovering process, stage of change and serum cortisol level in alcoholics. 2008. Seoul: Catholic University;Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
3. Diette GB, Lechtzin N, Haponik E, Devrotes A, Rubin HR. Distraction therapy with nature sights and sounds reduces pain during flexible bronchoscopy: A complementary approach to routine analgesia. Chest. 2003. 123:941–948.
4. Frumkin H. Healthy places: Exploring the evidence. American Journal of Public Health. 2003. 93:1451–1456.
5. Gu MO, Jeon MY, Kim HJ, Eun Y. A review of exercise interventions for fall prevention in the elderly. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2005. 35:1101–1112.
6. Guba EG, Lincoln YS. Fourth generation evaluation. 1989. Newbury Park, CA: Sage.
7. Hong HR. Forest experience education. 2001. 07. Seoul: Paper presented at the conference of the Korean Academic Society for Environmental Education.
8. Hsieh HF, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qualitative Health Research. 2005. 15:1277–1288.
9. Jeon YY. Forest and culture. 2006. Seoul: Books Hill Publishing.
10. Kellert SR, Wilson EO. The biophilia hypothesis. 1993. Washington DC: Island Press.
11. Kim JS, Park BK, Choi YC, Oh MG, Kim GJ, Oh JK. Influence of alcoholic's insight on their abstinent outcomes for one year after discharge. Journal of the Korean Academy of Family Medicine. 2001. 22:1052–1066.
12. Kim S. Modeling relapse of alcoholism. 1996. Seoul: Seoul National University;Unpublished doctoral dissertation.
13. Kim S, Kim HJ, Lee SO, Lee KJ. Focus group methodology. 2000. Seoul: HyunMoonSa Publishing.
14. Kim S, Oh SE, Eun Y, Sohn HM, Yi MS. Focus groups as qualitative research. 2006. Seoul: Koonja Publishing.
15. Kim SG. Korean Alcohol Research Foundation (Ed.). Causes of alcoholism. Encyclopedia of Alcohol. 2002. Seoul: KwongGoSanBang Publishing;270–277.
16. Kim SY, Chin YR, Oh VC, Park EJ, Yun SN, Lee IS. Analysis of the nursing interventions performed by public health nurses in health centers using the NIC. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing. 2006. 36:217–226.
17. Kim W, Kim S. Women's alcohol use and alcoholism in Korea. Substance Use and Misuse. 2008. 43:1078–1087.
18. Health from forest. Korea Forest Research Institute. 2007. 08. 20. Retrieved November 1, 2008. from http://www.forestfd.or.kr.
19. Lee HS. Picture founded from Forest. 2006. Seoul: Philosophy and Reality.
20. Maller C, Townsend M, Pryor A, Brown P, Leger L. Healthy nature healthy people: 'Contact with nature' as an upstream health promotion intervention for populations. Health Promotion International. 2006. 21:45–54.
21. The epidemiological survey of psychiatric illnesses in Korea. Ministry for Health, Welfare and Family Affairs. 2007. 08. 20. Retrieved November 13, 2008. from http://www.mw.go.kr/.
22. Miyazki Y. Science of forest. 2007. Seoul: NexusBooks Publishing.
23. Murphy GE, Wetzel RD. The lifetime risk of suicide in alcoholism. Archive of General Psychiatry. 1990. 47:383–392.
24. Shin WS. The influence of forest experience on the self-actualization. Journal of Korean Society for Plants, People and Environment. 1998. 1:79–87.
25. Shin WS. Psychological benefits from forest experience. Journal of Korean Society for Plants, People and Environment. 2002. 5(4):7–13.
26. Shin WS. Healing forest. 2005. Seoul: Chunil MoonWhaSa Publishing.
27. Shin WS, Lee SI, Ryu JH, Lee EW. The influence of forest experience on the mental health. Journal of Forest Recreation. 2000. 4:25–32.
28. Society for Forests & Culture. Philosophy of forest. 2006. Seoul: Philosophy and Reality Publishing.
29. Ulrich RS. View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science. 1984. 224:420–421.
30. Wilson EO. Biophilia. 1984. Harvard University at Cambridge;Unpublished manuscript.
TOOLS
Similar articles