Background
Humans and marine mammals have a history of connection which can be meaningful, triggering positive emotional responses and wellbeing (Ballantyne, Packer, & Sutherland, 2011). Meaning may arise from animals fulfilling inherent human needs of nature connection (Wilson, 1984). Short recollections from marine mammals viewers and swimmers, were collected to explore the interactions in the context of nature connection.
Methods
446 respondents provided 805 total short responses to “Explain how your marine mammal experience influenced your connection to, or understanding of, nature”. Responses were coded in Nvivo 11 via template textual analysis. A-priori themes of the PERMA model (Seligman, 2011) with systematic revisions as new subthemes arose were cross checked for consistency.
Results
171 responses were coded to the Meaning theme. Subthemes included personal impact, privilege, uniqueness and specialness. Meaning had 61 common references with Positive Emotion theme, which included references to wellbeing.
Conclusions
Contact with nature and animals allow a connection which is considered meaningful for some people. This expression of meaning is linked to positive emotions which includes wellbeing for some respondents. Practitioners may choose to use nature or animal prescriptions in the therapeutic process to enhance client’s meaning and wellbeing.