We’re working on a comprehensive digital bibliography!
In the meantime please see our list below of recent robust international evidence supporting the use of outdoor- and nature-based practices.
Outdoor Health and Wellbeing Evidence
Briggs, R., Morris, P. G., & Rees, K. (2023). The effectiveness of group-based gardening interventions for improving wellbeing and reducing symptoms of mental ill-health in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of mental health (Abingdon, England), 32(4), 787–804. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2022.2118687
Capaldi, C. A., Dopko, R. L., & Zelenski, J. M. (2014). The relationship between nature connectedness and happiness: A meta-analysis. Frontiers in psychology, 5, 92737.
Catissi, G., Gouveia, G., Savieto, R. M., Silva, C. P. R., de Almeida, R. S., Borba, G. B., Rosario, K. A., & Leão, E. R. (2024). Nature-Based Interventions Targeting Elderly People’s Health and Well-Being: An Evidence Map. International journal of environmental research and public health, 21(1), 112. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21010112
Coventry, P. A., Brown, J. E., Pervin, J., Brabyn, S., Pateman, R., Breedvelt, J., Gilbody, S., Stancliffe, R., McEachan, R., & White, P. L. (2021). Nature-based outdoor activities for mental and physical health: Systematic review and meta-analysis. SSM – population health, 16, 100934. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2021.100934
Harrison, H., Burns, M., Darko, N., & Jones, C. (2023). Exploring the benefits of nature-based interventions in socio-economically deprived communities: a narrative review of the evidence to date. Perspectives in public health, 143(3), 156–172. https://doi.org/10.1177/17579139231170768
Lin, Y., Lin, R., Liu, W., & Wu, W. (2022). Effectiveness of horticultural therapy on physical functioning and psychological health outcomes for older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of clinical nursing, 31(15-16), 2087–2099. https://doi.org/10.1111/jocn.16095
Martin, L., White, M. P., Hunt, A., Richardson, M., Pahl, S., & Burt, J. (2020). Nature contact, nature connectedness and associations with health, wellbeing and pro-environmental behaviours. Journal of environmental psychology, 68, 101389
Masterton, W., Carver, H., Parkes, T., & Park, K. (2020). Greenspace interventions for mental health in clinical and non-clinical populations: What works, for whom, and in what circumstances?. Health & place, 64, 102338. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthplace.2020.102338
Mygind L, Kjeldsted E, Hartmeyer RD, Mygind E, Bølling M, Bentsen P. Immersive Nature-Experiences as Health Promotion Interventions for Healthy, Vulnerable, and Sick Populations? A Systematic Review and Appraisal of Controlled Studies. Front Psychol. 2019 May 3;10:943. doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00943. PMID: 31130890; PMCID: PMC6509207.
Pritchard, A., Richardson, M., Sheffield, D., & McEwan, K. (2020). The relationship between nature connectedness and eudaimonic well-being: A meta-analysis. Journal of happiness studies, 21, 1145-1167.
Richardson, M., Passmore, H. A., Lumber, R., Thomas, R., & Hunt, A. (2021). Moments, not minutes: The nature-wellbeing relationship. International Journal of Wellbeing, 11(1).
Ritchie, S. D., Wabano, M. J., Russell, K., Enosse, L., & Young, N. L. (2014). Promoting resilience and wellbeing through an outdoor intervention designed for Aboriginal adolescents. Rural and Remote Health, 14, 2523. Scopus
Zhang G, Poulsen DV, Lygum VL, Corazon SS, Gramkow MC, Stigsdotter UK. Health-Promoting Nature Access for People with Mobility Impairments: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2017 Jun 29;14(7):703. doi: 10.3390/ijerph14070703. PMID: 28661433; PMCID: PMC5551141.
Outdoor Therapy Evidence
Beck, N., & Wong, J. S. (2022). A Meta-Analysis of the Effects of Wilderness Therapy on Delinquent Behaviors Among Youth. Criminal Justice and Behavior, 49(5), 700-729. https://doi.org/10.1177/00938548221078002
Bowen, D. J., & Neill, J. T. (2013). A meta-analysis of adventure therapy outcomes and moderators. The Open Psychology Journal, 6, Article 28-53. https://doi.org/10.2174/1874350120130802001
Bowen, D. J., & Neill, J. T. & Crisp, J.R. (2016). Wilderness adventure therapy effects on the mental health of youth participants. Evaluation and Program Planning. Volume 58, October 2016, Pages 49-59. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0149718915300094
Buckley, R. C., & Brough, P. (2017). Nature, Eco, and Adventure Therapies for Mental Health and Chronic Disease. Frontiers in Public Health, 5, 220. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2017.00220
Carpenter, C., & Pryor, A. (2004). A confluence of cultures: Wilderness adventure therapy practice in Australia and New Zealand. In S. Bandoroff & S. Newes (Eds.), Coming of age: The evolving field of adventure therapy (pp. 224–239). Association for Experiential Education.
Chan, Y.T., Lau, H.Y., Chan, W.Y. et al. Adventure therapy for child, adolescent, and young adult cancer patients: a systematic review. Support Care Cancer 29, 35–48 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-020-05642-3
Cooley, S. J., Jones, C. R., Kurtz, A., & Robertson, N. (2020). ‘Into the Wild’: A meta-synthesis of talking therapy in natural outdoor spaces. Clinical Psychology Review, 77, 101841. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2020.101841
Crisp, J.R. & Hinch, C. (2004). Treatment Effectiveness of Wilderness Adventure Therapy: A comprehensive Evaluation. Copyright 2004 Simon Crisp & Neo Psychology – all rights resderved. https://bluepeteraustralia.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/12/treatmenteffectivenessofwat_summaryfindings.pdf
Fernee, C. R., Mesel, T., Andersen, A. J. W., & Gabrielsen, L. E. (2019). Therapy the Natural Way: A Realist Exploration of the Wilderness Therapy Treatment Process in Adolescent Mental Health Care in Norway. Qualitative Health Research, 29(9), 1358–1377. https://doi.org/10.1177/1049732318816301
Jeffery, H., & Wilson, L. (2017). New Zealand Occupational Therapists’ Use of Adventure Therapy in Mental Health Practice. New Zealand Journal of Occupational Therapy, 64(1), 32–32.
Harper, N.J., & Dobud, W.W. (2021). Outdoor Therapies: An introduction to Practices, Possibilities, and Critical Perspectives. New York, NY: Routledge 2021.
Neil, A. L., Pryor, A., Kneebone, J., & Flies, E. J. (2023). Outdoor mental healthcare: What, who, why and where to? Australasian Psychiatry, 31(6), 798–805. https://doi.org/10.1177/10398562231211110
Norton, C., Carpenter, C. & Pryor, A. (Eds). (2015). Adventure Therapy around the Globe: International Perspectives and Diverse Approaches. USA: Common Ground Publishing.
Pryor, A., Gray, T., Oland Asen, G., Knowles, B., Dickmeyer, A., & Smith, A. JOEE Special Issue: Outdoor health and nature-based solutions: Research, Practice & Policy. Journal of Outdoor and Environmental Education 27, 1–6 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42322-024-00170-8
Pryor, A., Harper, N. & Carpenter, C. (2021). Outdoor Therapy: Benefits, mechanisms, and useful principles for activating health, wellbeing and healing in nature. Outdoor Environmental Education in Higher Education: International Perspectives (Eds. Thomas, G., Dyment, J., and Prince, H.). Springer Nature.
Pryor, A., Conway, C., & Pryor, R. (2019). Recre8 Program Evaluation Full Report. July 2019. Adventure Works Australia, Hobart, Tasmania.
Pryor, A. Pryor, R. & Carpenter, C. (2018). Outdoor Adventure Interventions – Young People and Adversity: A Literature Review. Berry Street Victoria Inc.
Pryor, A. (2009). Wild adventures in wellbeing: Foundations, features and wellbeing impacts of Australian outdoor adventure interventions (OAI) [PhD Thesis, Deakin University]. Retrieved, Aug 2024, https://hdl.handle.net/10536/DRO/DU:30027427
Pryor, A., Carpenter, C. & Townsend, M. (2005). ‘Outdoor education and bush adventure therapy: A socio-ecological approach to health and wellbeing’. Australian Journal of Outdoor Education. Vol.9 (1) 2005.