Constructing the conditions for wellbeing: A qualitative evaluation of group-based ecotherapy for adults living with acquired brain injury.

Abstract

Ecotherapy interventions which promote meaningful engagement with the natural world provide unique wellbeing opportunities for individuals with psychosocial difficulties who may struggle to access nature, while also benefiting the local community and environment. We hereby unpack the experiences of 41 adults living with the psychosocial sequelae of acquired brain injury following their engagement in a group-based eight-to-ten-week sustainable construction intervention delivered in partnership with a local social enterprise called "Down to Earth". Using reflexive thematic analysis, insights from seven focus groups emphasize the importance of (1) Broadening skills and building for the future in supporting movement towards an engaged and meaningful life; (2) Shared experiences with similar others in facilitating belonging in group memberships; (3) Self-acceptance and identity in cultivating resources for personal growth, and (4) Connecting and contributing, which is critical for community and planetary wellbeing. Opportunities for enhancing local clinical practice are captured within a domain summary theme, and broader implications for "inner" (personal and relational capacities) and global sustainable development are discussed.