Coding Manual for Adolescent-Nature Interactions at a Youth Group Home

Abstract

This technical report provides our coding manual – our systematic method to code qualitative photovoice data – from a study of nature interactions supporting coping and resilience among adolescents with histories of trauma living in a youth group home. Other authors on this study (but not on this coding manual) include Jean Kayira (SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry) and Elizabeth McCann (Department of Environmental Studies, Antioch University, New England). Using the interaction pattern method detailed in this coding manual, we coded interview data from 12 adolescents about their meaningful nature interactions. A total of 1212 (Level 1) IPs were coded in these data from the participant’s interviews and categorized into 62 Level 3 IPs such as viewing nature from a different vantage point, moving along the edges of nature, foraging or harvesting edibles to eat or drink, experiencing periodicity of nature, or experiencing nature with others. This study introduced an Interaction Pattern Approach (IPA) as a means to explore how meaningful nature engagement fosters coping and resilience in adolescents with histories of trauma. This methodology centers on Human-Nature Interaction Patterns (IPs) and applies a consensus coding process to discern the links between IPs and understandings of resilience. This study resulted in seven themes labeled, “Coping and Resilience Domains” which are supported by 37 subthemes labeled, “Strengths.” This technical report provides open access to our core intellectual qualitative work on this project, and can be used by others seeking to employ an interaction pattern approach for studies relating to coping and resilience, or more generally seeking to characterize people’s interactions with nature. While this technical report focuses on characterizing the IPs from interview data and testing for reliability, a more detailed accounting of the consensus coding process for IPs and coping and resilience can be found within the lead author’s doctoral dissertation, “Nature Interaction Assists with Coping and Resilience: An Interaction Pattern Approach with Adolescents with Histories of Trauma in a Youth Group Home.”