Outdoor Environments at Crisis Shelters in Denmark

Studies on gardens investigating positive health outcomes have focused on various groups and settings. This study investigates the current status and explores the potential of outdoor environments to support health and well-being at crisis shelters for women and children survivors of domestic violence in Denmark. This is a type of setting where not much research has been done but which services a very vulnerable group. Through a questionnaire distributed by e-mail and targeted crisis shelter staff, the extent, general satisfaction, characteristics, and use of outdoor environments were examined. Out of the 38 Danish crisis shelters, 31 responded. Responses were analyzed by means of univariate and bivariate analysis. Responses to open questions were grouped into categories. Furthermore different outdoor environment types were identified and defined. Results show that all of the crisis shelters in the study have an adjacent outdoor environment. They are used by residents and staff and the general satisfaction with the outdoor environments is high. At most of the crisis shelters members of the staff carry out maintenance of the outdoor environment and at a few crisis shelters the residents contribute as well. The aspects of the outdoor environments rated with both very satisfied and dissatisfied scores are presented, and preferences for type, size, demarcation and level of screening from surroundings are reported. The findings indicate that the outdoor environment should be closed to public use and accommodate passive and active as well as social and private activities for both children and adults. Furthermore, findings suggest that facilities should strive to make garden use possible in all kinds of weather and that the staff play a role when it comes to taking the initiative for organizing outdoor activities. The results from this study can be used as a starting point for optimizing outdoor environments at crisis shelters. Even though the general satisfaction is high, the findings show that the full potential of the outdoor environments is not being realized. Findings, however, indicate great opportunities to improve the setting and develop the activities taking place to take further advantage of the therapeutic qualities of nature in supporting the women, children, and staff at crisis shelters.