Graduate Thesis Or Dissertation
 

Documenting Significant Life Experiences in Nature, Nature Relatedness, and Mind Maps: A Case Study of United Methodist Church Members

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  • This study investigates the environmental-based life experiences in nature, nature relatedness, and demographic variables reported by members of First United Methodist Church (FUMC) of Claremore, Oklahoma. Previous studies have noted a lack of nature connectedness in modern culture and society and that this disconnect may impact human interactions with nature. These research studies have investigated life experiences and nature relatedness and revealed a correlation between these variables. As the United Methodist Church claims to promote environmental stewardship principles within The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church, this mixed-methods case study focuses on church member’s life experiences and nature relatedness through the lens of transformation and eco-psychology. How and in what ways are the nature experiences, demographics, and nature relatedness scores of members of First United Methodist Church of Claremore, Oklahoma related? What significant life experiences in nature are reported by church members of First United Methodist Church of Claremore, Oklahoma, and which, if any of those experiences occurred during church sponsored events or activities? In what ways do members of First United Methodist Church of Claremore, Oklahoma describe, discuss, value, make meaning of, and account for those experiences? To answer these questions, online surveys, Mind Maps, and interviews are utilized to collect data with members of the church. Quantitative data are analyzed using SPSS for correlation and multiple regression with variables derived from the survey responses, while qualitative data from open-ended survey questions, Mind Maps, and interview responses are analyzed for emergent themes. Findings indicate that members of Claremore FUMC report a range of Early Significant Life Experiences (SLE) and Nature Relatedness Scale (NRS) scores, as well as detailed descriptions of environmental-based life experiences. Many of the experiences reported by church members did not occur at church sponsored events or activities. Several participants were able to verbalize the environmental values conveyed to them indirectly by Claremore FUMC and give examples of environmental-based church experiences impacting the community and mission field. Participation in church groups that are active outdoors and overnight residential camps are significantly correlated with Early SLE in this study, meaning these nature-based organizations are considered significant experiences in nature. Early SLE score is significantly correlated with NRS score in this study, meaning that a higher incidence of experiences in nature is associated with a greater relatedness to nature. None of the demographic variables correlated largely with NRS score. Experiences in nature are associated with increases in a sense of relatedness with the natural environment, regardless of other demographic variables. Overnight experiences, such as church groups and residential camps; as well as fishing, owning a pet, and gardening; may be included in those Early SLE that contribute to increased nature relatedness, addressing the society-nature disconnect. Although Claremore FUMC is providing environmental experiences for its members, and the church’s environmental values are understood by many participants in this study, results suggest that more events and activities could be planned at Claremore FUMC to offer overnight, long-term, and everyday nature experiences. Events at the church should bring the stewardship principles claimed by The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church to the forefront of discussion, focusing the church’s efforts and attention more directly on awareness and applying the principles within the book. The results are consistent with the literature on the important role of early life experiences and nature relatedness. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, incorporating Mind Map techniques to supplement quantitative measures, allowed for the analysis of the role of a religious institution in enhancing outdoor experiences. Future studies should focus on applying and evaluating stewardship principles within a variety of faith-based institutions, programs, and spiritual experiences.
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  • Pending Publication
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  • 2020-12-30 to 2023-01-31

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