Trees are honest, bugs are creative, sunsets are hopeful - Identifying character strengths in nature: A structured tabular thematic analysis

Abstract

The psychological construct of nature connectedness has been consistently linked to well-being and pro-nature behavioral outcomes, with a sense of self considered important for individuals to feel like they are part of nature. Interventions focusing on noticing good things in nature and the Five Pathways Framework have been utilized to help people reconnect with the more-than-human world although they have often overlooked incorporating nature within the self-concept and emphasizing similarity with nature despite its importance for the construct. We developed and tested a related, but alternative, approach to previous interventions to focus on similarity and sense of self through anthropomorphism: that of mindfully identifying how one's own character strengths are exhibited in nature. A Structured Tabular Thematic Analysis was conducted on 747 written observations (n = 93) of shared character strengths in nature. Five themes were generated: (1) finding representations of the self through seasonal change; (2) identifying with weather and the character strengths it possesses; (3) experiencing awe and wonder in nature through shared character strengths; (4) nature as an honest or dishonest entity; and (5) the inability to find similarity between oneself and nature. These themes provide insight into the ability of the intervention to enable participants to find a sense of self in the rest of nature when identifying shared strengths. Nature connectedness pathways of meaning, compassion, and beauty were also evident in the observations. Implications for using a character strengths-based approach to boost nature connectedness through a shared sense of self and similarity are discussed. The identification of personal character strengths shared with nature offers a new and meaningful way to reconnect with the more-than-human world to which we belong.