The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents

Researchers are beginning to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on island populations, but little is known about the experiences of the residents of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in the Northeast region of the United States. In this study, islanders (N=41) provide insight into how sp...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Nicole Kras, Jennifer Keenan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Island Studies Journal 2023-11-01
Series:Island Studies Journal
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.24043/isj.420
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849334848120946688
author Nicole Kras
Jennifer Keenan
author_facet Nicole Kras
Jennifer Keenan
author_sort Nicole Kras
collection DOAJ
description Researchers are beginning to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on island populations, but little is known about the experiences of the residents of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in the Northeast region of the United States. In this study, islanders (N=41) provide insight into how spending time in nature influenced their well-being, especially their mental well-being, during this unprecedented time. For the majority of participants, the influence of nature on their well-being increased during the pandemic. Additionally, participants shared benefits of island living such as isolation from the mainland, as well as challenges such as food and supply shortages. Results from this study indicate that further research is needed around the importance of nature on well-being, especially mental health, for island residents.
format Article
id doaj-art-9008552eef59461baa6e7b9f6c3f5a89
institution Kabale University
issn 1715-2593
language English
publishDate 2023-11-01
publisher Island Studies Journal
record_format Article
series Island Studies Journal
spelling doaj-art-9008552eef59461baa6e7b9f6c3f5a892025-08-20T03:45:27ZengIsland Studies JournalIsland Studies Journal1715-25932023-11-0118210.24043/isj.420The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island ResidentsNicole KrasJennifer KeenanResearchers are beginning to explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on island populations, but little is known about the experiences of the residents of Nantucket and Martha's Vineyard in the Northeast region of the United States. In this study, islanders (N=41) provide insight into how spending time in nature influenced their well-being, especially their mental well-being, during this unprecedented time. For the majority of participants, the influence of nature on their well-being increased during the pandemic. Additionally, participants shared benefits of island living such as isolation from the mainland, as well as challenges such as food and supply shortages. Results from this study indicate that further research is needed around the importance of nature on well-being, especially mental health, for island residents.https://doi.org/10.24043/isj.420
spellingShingle Nicole Kras
Jennifer Keenan
The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents
Island Studies Journal
title The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents
title_full The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents
title_fullStr The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents
title_full_unstemmed The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents
title_short The Influence of Nature on Well-Being During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Views From New England Island Residents
title_sort influence of nature on well being during the covid 19 pandemic views from new england island residents
url https://doi.org/10.24043/isj.420
work_keys_str_mv AT nicolekras theinfluenceofnatureonwellbeingduringthecovid19pandemicviewsfromnewenglandislandresidents
AT jenniferkeenan theinfluenceofnatureonwellbeingduringthecovid19pandemicviewsfromnewenglandislandresidents
AT nicolekras influenceofnatureonwellbeingduringthecovid19pandemicviewsfromnewenglandislandresidents
AT jenniferkeenan influenceofnatureonwellbeingduringthecovid19pandemicviewsfromnewenglandislandresidents