Autonomy support and need satisfaction in prevocational programs on care farms: The self-determination theory perspective

Issue title: Workplace-based Efforts in Promoting Health and Preventing Disability in Norway

Guest editors: Randi W. Aas, Ruth K. Raanaas and Lynn Shaw

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Ellingsen-Dalskau, Lina H.^{a; *} | Morken, Margrete^b | Berget, Bente^b | Pedersen, Ingeborg^a

Affiliations: [a] Section for Public Health Sciences, Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway | [b] Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Ås, Norway

Correspondence: [*] Address for correspondence: Lina H. Dalskau, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Section for Public Health Sciences, Department of Landscape Architecture and Spatial Planning, P.O. Box 5003, NO-1432 Ås, Norway. Tel.: +47 67 23 12 58; Mobile: +47 400 69 077; Fax: +47 64 96 53 01; E-mail: lina.dalskau@nmbu.no.

Abstract: BACKGROUND:Mental health problems are leading causes for early and prolonged withdrawal from the workforce. Green work on care farms represents a prevocational training program intended to stimulate return to work for people with mental health problems. Research suggests that care farms may improve mental health, but there is still little knowledge of the subjective perspective of clients in green work programs. OBJECTIVE:To gain a deeper and broader understanding of the individual experiences of people with mental health problems participating in green work on care farms in Norway. METHODS:A hermeneutic phenomenological research design was applied. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted. The self-determination theory (SDT) was adapted to gain a deeper understanding of the themes that emerged in the analysis process of the interviews. RESULTS:Five main themes materialize describing participants’ experiences within the green work program. The main themes consist of (1) structure and flexibility, (2) understanding and acknowledgement, (3) guidance and positive feedback, (4) nature and animals, and (5) reflections on personal functioning and the future. CONCLUSION:The main themes identified indicate a high degree of autonomy support and need satisfaction within the care farm context, which according to SDT can facilitate good human functioning, and well-being.

Keywords: Mental health problems, prevocational rehabilitation, return to work

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-152217

Journal: Work, vol. 53, no. 1, pp. 73-85, 2016