A Green and Pleasant Helping Hand – Examining the Phenomenological Effects of Outdoor Recreational Experiences on Military Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Mark Wheeler; Graham Cable; Leanne Andrews; Sheina Orbell; Guyan Sloane; Richard Philpot; Nicholas R. Cooper

doi:10.21061/jvs.v12i1.828

A Green and Pleasant Helping Hand – Examining the Phenomenological Effects of Outdoor Recreational Experiences on Military Veterans With Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Volume 12 (2026): Issue 1

By: Mark Wheeler , Graham Cable , Leanne Andrews , Sheina Orbell , Guyan Sloane , Richard Philpot and Nicholas R. Cooper

Open Access

|Jan 2026

Abstract

This article presents qualitative findings from interviews with participants in an outdoor activity programme aimed at assisting them to alleviate symptoms of military-related post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Aside from exploring if and how participants felt the programme helped them manage their PTSD symptoms, the study also sought to identify factors that may help to inform future programme development. Thematic analysis of transcripts drawn from semi-structured interviews focused on respondents’ reflections on programme participation, early life experiences, military and post-military experiences, and mental health issues. The results supported the conclusion that the outdoor activities in a natural environment provided participants with a setting redolent of previously positive military experience, in which these former soldiers felt they could safely reveal and discuss troubling mental health and military matters, without fear of stigma. They also reported the benefits of the calm, tranquil environment aiding not only openness with peers but providing immediate beneficial effects on feelings of safety, sleep, and subsequent wellbeing. Conclusions indicate that such nature-based interventions may be a useful adjunct in the toolbox of treatments striving to reduce military-related PTSD symptomology.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v12i1.828 | Journal eISSN: 2470-4768

Journal RSS Feed

Language: English

Page range: 1 - 17

Submitted on: Oct 9, 2025

Accepted on: Dec 13, 2025

Published on: Jan 5, 2026

Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

PTSD,

post-traumatic stress disorder,

military veterans,

military psychology,

environmental psychology,

green exercise,

nature-based therapy,

nature-based intervention,

angling,

fishing

© 2026 Mark Wheeler, Graham Cable, Leanne Andrews, Sheina Orbell, Guyan Sloane, Richard Philpot, Nicholas R. Cooper, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 12 (2026): Issue 1