DOCUMENT RESUME ED 438 489 CG 029 723 AUTHOR Feral, Crystal-Helen TITLE Connectedness and Development--A Theory. Is Ecopsychology the Answer to Emotional Well-Being? PUB DATE 1999-03-30 NOTE 34p.; Paper presented at the Annual Convention of the National Association of School Psychologists (New Orleans, LA, March 28-April 1, 1999). Research was supported, in part, by a Science and Technology Education Grant from the Department of Public Instruction, Madison, WI. PUB TYPE Information Analyses (070) Reports Research (143) Speeches /Meeting Papers (150) EDRS PRICE MF01/PCO2 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS At Risk Persons; *Children; *Counseling Techniques; Elementary Education; *Emotional Development; *Program Development; Self Esteem; *Well Being IDENTIFIERS Developmental Theory; *Ecotherapy; Piers Harris Childrens Self Concept Scale; *Synergy ABSTRACT To help mitigate the impact of multi-environmental degradation, the model program for emotionally at-risk children that uses nature to enhance emotional well-being (or intellect) has been constructed, implemented and researched. The six sessions that compose the program are designed to impart social-emotional understanding and prime perceptions by vicarious observance of, and interactive participation with, nature. It was hypothesized that using nature extensively in a therapeutic model would reduce the stressful impact of life and, as a result, positive emotional well-being would be evident. Based on the Piers-Harris self-concept scale and on person drawings, the students demonstrated a post-program increase in self-esteem (p<.001), happiness, educational status, and emotional development (p<.001). They also demonstrated improved perceptual skills, self-efficacy, empathy, and a significant reduction in aggression. This research offers a conceptual definition of ecopsychology, supports a new theory of development that challenges the ideation of the isolated self, and affirms that a child's psyche is part of a vast synergistic model of connections. (Contains 104 references.) (GCP) Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made from the original document. Connectedness and Development A Theory Is Ecopsychology the Answer to Emotional Well-Being? by Crystal-Helen Feral U.S. DEPARTMENT OFEDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement "PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE THIS EDUCATIONAL RESOURCESINFORMATION MATERIAL HAS BEEN GRANTED BY CENTER (ERIC) O This document has beenreprodUred as received from the person or , originating it. organization VPA O Minor changes have beenmade to improve reproduction duality. Points of view or opinions stated inthis docu- ment do not necessarily representofficial OEM position or policy. r TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC)." 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