September 2024
Health Economics Meets Behavioural Science to Inform Prevention: The Health and Wellbeing Benefits and Social Value of Voluntary Gardening
Background
In recent years, there has been growing recognition of the role that preventative strategies can play in addressing complex societal challenges, such as the current mental health crisis. These strategies often need to be multifaceted to accommodate the diversity of benefits they aim to deliver. A crucial aspect of effective prevention strategies is understanding what motivates individuals and how psychological needs influence behaviour. This case study explores a collaborative project involving Treborth Botanic Garden (TBG), the Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME), and the Wales Centre for Behaviour Change (WCBC) at Bangor University. The project aimed to assess the health and wellbeing benefits and social value of voluntary gardening by combining health economics and behavioural sciences.
Fulfilling
Fulfilling Our Psychological Needs
Motivation is at the core of why individuals engage in certain activities, including voluntary gardening. According to Self-Determination Theory, humans have three key psychological needs: autonomy, affiliation, and achievement. These needs drive behaviour and are essential for emotional wellbeing. When unmet, individuals may experience frustration and negative mental and behavioural responses.
In the context of voluntary gardening, these psychological needs can be met in the following ways:
- Autonomy: Gardening allows individuals to exercise control and make choices that align with their personal values.
- Affiliation: Volunteering in a garden setting fosters social connections and a sense of community.
- Achievement: Gardening offers opportunities for skill mastery and the satisfaction of seeing tangible results from one's efforts.
Recognising and fulfilling these needs through nature-based interventions like voluntary gardening can play a significant role in promoting mental wellbeing, particularly during challenging times when access to typical sources of need fulfilment may be limited.
Our Approach
In line with our structured methodology, the project followed a step-by-step approach:
The primary objective was to explore the health and wellbeing benefits and the social value generated by voluntary gardening activities. This involved a mixed-method Social Return on Investment (SROI) evaluation combined with assessments of volunteers' psychological needs and nature connection.
To capture the diverse outcomes of voluntary gardening, we used a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. This included:
- Pre- and Post-Volunteering Surveys: Volunteers completed questionnaires measuring various outcomes using established scales such as the Short Warwick Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (SWEMWBS) and the Nature Connection Index (NCI).
- Behavioural Assessments: The study assessed volunteers' basic psychological needs using the Basic Psychological Need Satisfaction and Frustration Scale (BPNSNF) to understand the impact on autonomy, competence, and relatedness.
Social Value Analysis: The Social Return on Investment (SROI) framework was employed to quantify the social value generated by volunteering at TBG
Key Findings
Volunteering at TBG led to significant improvements in overall health and mental wellbeing among participants. There was a notable increase in scores on the SWEMWBS, indicating enhanced mental health and a reduction in feelings of distress.
An analysis of the Client Service Receipt Inventory (CSRI) data indicated a decrease in the use of health services among volunteers, suggesting potential cost savings for the healthcare system.
Participants reported a stronger connection to nature after engaging in voluntary gardening, as measured by the Nature Connection Index (NCI). This enhanced sense of nature connection was associated with improved psychological outcomes.
The study found positive changes in the perceived satisfaction and reduced frustration of basic psychological needs. Volunteering fostered a sense of autonomy, competence, and relatedness, which are crucial for psychological wellbeing.
The SROI analysis revealed that every £1 invested in facilitating volunteering at TBG generated social value in the range of £4.02 to £5.43. This substantial return underscores the economic and social benefits of nature-based interventions.
The Solution
The findings highlight the potential of voluntary gardening as a nature-based intervention that can contribute to public health prevention strategies by fulfilling essential psychological needs. During times of restriction, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic, finding ways to maintain autonomy, affiliation, and achievement is crucial for mental health. Voluntary gardening offers a practical and effective means of providing these psychological benefits, fostering motivation and adherence to health-promoting behaviours.
Key Strategies Include:
- Stimulation Signposting: By providing opportunities for remote socialisation, skill development, and a sense of control, voluntary gardening helps satisfy the core psychological needs of autonomy, affiliation, and achievement.
- Motivational Messaging: Framing the act of gardening as a way to support personal wellbeing and contribute to a collective sense of achievement can enhance participation and adherence.
- Collaborative Context: Encouraging a supportive environment where volunteers feel connected and capable can enhance overall satisfaction and foster long-term engagement.
Conclusion
This multidisciplinary study emphasises the importance of combining health economics and behavioural science to inform effective public health prevention strategies. Voluntary gardening at TBG not only improves individual health and wellbeing by fulfilling psychological needs but also offers broader social value, potentially reducing the burden on healthcare systems. By understanding and leveraging the motivation behind such activities, we can create more engaging and effective interventions.