Meeting In Nature Together (MINT)
Meeting in Nature Together (MINT)
In fall 2020 and spring 2021, we conducted the mixed methods Meeting in Nature Together (MINT) study to identify scalable and sustainable nature-based activities that promote social connectedness among adolescent parents and their peers. In this community-based participatory research study, we used two distinct approaches to identify the key ingredients to a nature-based social intervention for a population of pregnant and parenting adolescents. First, we designed and tested an 8-week nature and social connection intervention at a local high school for pregnant and parenting teens (n=17). Second, using the findings from this intervention, we conducted a 5-minute cross-sectional survey at the Children’s Hospital of ÃÛÌÇÖ±²¥ Young Mother's Clinic (n=131). Results from the school-based intervention showed that meditative aspects resonated with MINT participants, and they most often enjoyed nature closer to home, with family. Results from the clinic-based survey showed that young parents were most limited to nature experiences by lack of time, company, and energy. They had a close connection to nature and high levels of loneliness. Walking, hiking, or running was selected and described by most as their preferred nature activity. These findings help to define low-cost, accessible, nature-based options for connecting lonely young parents with others.