Spending time in the forest or the field: qualitative semi-structured interviews in a randomized controlled cross-over trial with highly sensitive persons

Katja Oomen-Welke; Tina Hilbich; Evelyn Schlachter; Alexander Müller; Andreas Anton; Roman Huber

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1207627

Spending time in the forest or the field: qualitative semi-structured interviews in a randomized controlled cross-over trial with highly sensitive persons

Front Psychol. 2023 Nov 7:14:1207627. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1207627. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Katja Oomen-Welke¹, Tina Hilbich¹, Evelyn Schlachter¹, Alexander Müller¹, Andreas Anton², Roman Huber¹

Affiliations

¹ Center for Complementary Medicine, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
² Institute for Frontier Areas of Psychology and Mental Health (IGPP), Freiburg, Germany.

Abstract

Introduction: The effects of spending time in forests have been subject to investigations in various countries around the world. Qualitative comparisons have been rarely done so far.

Methods: Sixteen healthy highly sensitive persons (SV12 score ≥ 18) aged between 18 and 70 years were randomly assigned to groups spending 1 h in the forest and in the field at intervals of one week. Semi-structured interviews were conducted after each intervention and analyzed using a mixed-methods approach of content analysis and grounded theory.

Results: Both natural environments induced feelings of inner calmness, inner cleansing, joy, freedom, connectedness, strengthening qualities, and heightened body awareness. The forest environment additionally offered emotional shelter, and showed advantages in promoting inner strength and self-concentration.

Discussion: People with previous negative experiences in the forest may feel safer in fields because of the wider view and better overview. Important preconditions are enough time and the absence of a judgmental authority. The two environments induced in part different but also similar emotions which might be useful to promote psychological well-being differentially.

Keywords: Shinrin-yoku; anxiety; depression; forest bathing; forest environment; relaxation; stress; therapeutic landscape.

Grants and funding

The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research of this article: this work was supported by Margarete Müller-Bull foundation, Gerokstr.1, 70188 Stuttgart, Germany, www.mmb-stiftung.de. We acknowledge support by the Open Access Publication Fund of the University of Freiburg.