| Description |
Ten to 30% of U.S. military veterans have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) upon their return to civilian life, but many of them face barriers to traditional forms of care. The social stigma associated with receiving clinical mental health services prevents the majority of veterans from receiving assistance through traditional means. Others decline assistance out of a well-intentioned concern that using supportive resources will prevent other people with a greater need from receiving support. Also, researchers have found that the type of trauma a person experiences tends to be less predictive of receiving and recovering from a PTSD diagnosis than the social support, or lack thereof, they receive following the traumatic event. Ultimately, the pervasive nature of PTSD among the veteran community, combined with the barriers to quality care and the critical importance of social support, reinforces the need for nontraditional ways of promoting mental health, reducing PTSD symptoms, and enhancing social support among the veteran community. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the potential social benefits of nature-based recreation for veterans with PTSD. Research results are presented from 1) a scoping review of existing research on the social benefits of nature-based recreation, 2) a qualitative analysis of the social environment that emerges during a river rafting trip for veterans with PTSD, and 3) a quantitative analysis of changes in perceptions of social support over time through participation in a river rafting trip for veterans with PTSD. The findings of this three-article dissertation present new iv information about the social benefits of nature-based recreation and have potential implications for the mental health and wellbeing of the veteran community. |
