@article{d6e0425a-9ab4-4584-93c6-8f97310b019e,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: Nature-based interventions (NBIs) have been identified to support a recovery-oriented approach for people experiencing mental health issues. However, there is still limited knowledge related to how mental health service users experience their recovery process when engaged in NBIs. Aim: To explore and explain how mental health service users experience the process of personal recovery from participating in a newly developed NBI. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted using constructivist grounded theory and included 20 participants. The NBI, including equine-assisted therapy, was delivered in groups at a farm-based rehabilitation centre. Purposeful sampling was used, and in-depth interviews were performed on site. Data were analysed in an iterative, comparative process. During the analysis, NVIVO 14 was used to organise and manage the data systematically. Results: The grounded theory of the core concept ‘A process of embodied recovery’, described the participants’ experiences of personal recovery during the NBI and included three concepts: ‘Experiencing interconnection’ through transactions with the environment, ‘Processing inner connection’ through reflection and ‘Feeling intra-connected’ through integration of self and body as a whole in everyday life. Conclusion and Significance: The NBI provides positive multisensory experiences to support personal recovery among mental health service users. The findings hold significant implications for the advancement of recovery-oriented services in mental health care, including occupational therapy.</p>}},
  author       = {{Gudmundsson, Marie and Pálsdóttir, Anna Maria and Sutton, Daniel and Bejerholm, Ulrika and Argentzell, Elisabeth}},
  issn         = {{1103-8128}},
  keywords     = {{Animal-assisted therapy; Equine-assisted therapy; Healthy places; Mental health recovery; Nature connectedness; Psychiatry; Rehabilitation; Sensory processing}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy}},
  title        = {{‘An Embodied Journey Towards Recovery’ : A Grounded Theory of Mental Health Service Users’ Experiences of a Nature-based Intervention}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s44474-026-00003-5}},
  doi          = {{10.1007/s44474-026-00003-5}},
  volume       = {{33}},
  year         = {{2026}},
}