RESEARCH

Mixing Job Training with Nature-Based Therapy Shows Promise for Increasing Labor Market Affiliation among Newly Arrived Refugees: Results from a Danish Case Series Study

This 30-week program combined horticulture, nature-based therapy, and job training to improve job prospects, and mental health for arrived refugees in Denmark. The program showed promise, with increased job market participation and improved mental health among participants, though further research is needed.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Vocational

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Immigrants/Refugees

Setting or Context: Community Gardens

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Physical Health, Greater Job Readiness & Vocational Skills, Community Building

Allied Profession Intersections: Occupational Therapy, Social Work

Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Nature-Based Arts & Crafts, Vocational Skill Development

Evidence Type: Case Studies, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Program Effectiveness

Access: Free

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Summary

“This study investigated the impact of a 30-week program combining horticulture, nature-based therapy, and job training on labor market affiliation and mental well-being among newly arrived refugees in Denmark. The program involved 28 refugees and was divided into three periods, with activities ranging from light gardening and relaxation techniques to more physically demanding horticultural tasks and collaborative projects. Therapists conducted informal conversations, psychoeducation, and creative arts sessions, with the intensity of activities adjusted to individual needs.

The results showed an increase in the one-year incidence of job market affiliation and improved mental health based on questionnaire measures. Specifically, 79% of participants initially met criteria for anxiety, depression, or PTSD, but the program led to positive changes in mental well-being. The study concludes that horticulture and nature-based therapy hold promise for helping refugees enter the job market, but emphasizes the need for larger, more rigorous studies to confirm these preliminary findings.”

Link

Uldall, S.W., Poulsen, D.V., Christensen, S.I. et al. (2022). Mixing job training with nature-based therapy shows promise for increasing labor market affiliation among newly arrived refugees: Results from a Danish case series study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(8), 4850.

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