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Domestic violence: The impact of a nature-based holistic development program on victims' well-being

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Resumo:Several studies have highlighted the benefits of nature for human well-being. Nevertheless, the incorporation of nature as an operative resource in social support processes of vulnerable groups such as domestic violence victims is not a common practice. The complexity and prevalence of domestic violence result in a growing need for innovative intervention modalities that can contribute to provide more effective support for victims. Project CarryOn - Ecosystem services and their role in domestic violence victims' support processes was developed to address that need as a nature-based holistic program that allowed participants to benefit from direct contact with natural environments. The effectiveness of this program in promoting the participants' well-being was assessed through a mixed-methods approach, which included self-report quantitative measures (e.g., life quality, psychological adjustment, and self-esteem) and qualitative measures (e.g., women's perception of their program participation). The results showed positive changes in all dimensions, with statistically significant improvements between the pre- and post-intervention evaluations, including overall life quality and psychological adjustment. The qualitative results also reinforced other benefits derived from the nature-based program. This study highlights the importance of including nature-based activities as a complementary practice to the existing, more traditional approaches, reinforcing the role of nature as an effective resource in promoting domestic violence victims' well-being.
Autores principais:Silva, A.
Outros Autores:Antunes, J.; Peixoto, J.; Gonçalves, Mariana; Alves, F.; Silva, J.; Garrido, N.; Matos, Marlene
Assunto:Domestic violence Ecosystem services Holistic development Nature Victims Well-being
Ano:2018
País:Portugal
Tipo de documento:artigo
Tipo de acesso:acesso restrito
Instituição associada:Universidade do Minho
Idioma:inglês
Origem:RepositóriUM - Universidade do Minho
Descrição
Resumo:Several studies have highlighted the benefits of nature for human well-being. Nevertheless, the incorporation of nature as an operative resource in social support processes of vulnerable groups such as domestic violence victims is not a common practice. The complexity and prevalence of domestic violence result in a growing need for innovative intervention modalities that can contribute to provide more effective support for victims. Project CarryOn - Ecosystem services and their role in domestic violence victims' support processes was developed to address that need as a nature-based holistic program that allowed participants to benefit from direct contact with natural environments. The effectiveness of this program in promoting the participants' well-being was assessed through a mixed-methods approach, which included self-report quantitative measures (e.g., life quality, psychological adjustment, and self-esteem) and qualitative measures (e.g., women's perception of their program participation). The results showed positive changes in all dimensions, with statistically significant improvements between the pre- and post-intervention evaluations, including overall life quality and psychological adjustment. The qualitative results also reinforced other benefits derived from the nature-based program. This study highlights the importance of including nature-based activities as a complementary practice to the existing, more traditional approaches, reinforcing the role of nature as an effective resource in promoting domestic violence victims' well-being.