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Original Article
Healing Effects of the Forest Experience on Alcoholics
Jingyung Cha, Sungjae Kim
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2009;39(3):338-348.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.3.338
Published online: June 29, 2009

1Director, The Korean Alcohol Research Foundation KARF Men's Facility, Korea.

2Associate Professor, College of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Kim, Sungjae. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, 28 Yeongeon-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul 110-799, Korea. Tel: 82-2-740-8814, Fax: 82-2-766-1852, sungjae@snu.ac.kr
• Received: February 1, 2009   • Accepted: April 16, 2009

Copyright © 2009 Korean Society of Nursing Science

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  • Purpose
    The purpose of this study was to explore and describe healing effects of the forest on alcoholics through a forest experience program.
  • Methods
    The qualitative data was gathered from one focus group discussion with 6 alcoholics and individual interviews with 8 alcoholics. They had all participated in a "healing forest" program. All interviews were recorded and transcribed according to thematic content analysis processes.
  • Results
    The four main themes on the attributes of forest were "a lively living being", "placidity and tranquility", "acceptive atmosphere", and "beautifulness as it is" which revealed the participants' perceived nature of the forest which was attributed to the healing effects. Eight other themes on participants' positive changes included "revived senses", "aspired to live", "relieved and relaxed from being tense", "gaining insight on self", "having an acceptive attitude", "becoming compliant with his/her life", "learning that life is being together" and "recognizing the value of one's existence".
  • Conclusion
    The findings of the study illustrated the participants' self-healing processes through interactions with the nature of the forest. Nursing interventions utilizing healing atmospheres such as "healing forest" programs can be considered helpful in providing a venue to alcoholics to reflect on their lives affirmatively.
  • Keywords: Qualitative research; Focus groups; Individual interview; Alcoholics; Forest
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        Healing Effects of the Forest Experience on Alcoholics
        J Korean Acad Nurs. 2009;39(3):338-348.   Published online June 29, 2009
        DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2009.39.3.338
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