| dc.description.abstract | The aim of this study has been to investigate the effects of Green Care services
for youth in vulnerable situations risking social exclusion. Green Care enterprises represent
alternative arenas in which people can work with animals, agriculture and other tasks
related to nature. We interviewed nine persons, aged 17–27, working in three different
places, two or more times over a two-year period. We looked at essential beneficial factors
in order to better understand how the “green” element could add to more traditional
recovery factors. We found that the youth described core success factors corresponding to
well-known recovery factors such as recognition, supportive relationships, motivation,
meaning, positive coping, self-esteem, confidence and hope. The effective factors can be
described as: (a) The leader’s ability to create a good group atmosphere, (b) the varied tasks
which allow step-wise increases in self-efficacy, and (c) experiences with animals and
in nature that provide comfort for youth who lack trust in people and need safe situations to
recover a positive sense of self. We followed a process in which several persons gradually
regained self-respect and the motivation for further education or a job outside the
Green Care enterprise. The study illustrates that Green Care can be an important supplement
in helping people back to a satisfying life and meaningful roles in society. | nb_NO |
