A systematic review of group nature-based interventions for adolescents: proposed mechanisms of change and RESTORE framework

Objective Group nature-based interventions (NBIs) are increasingly used to support adolescent wellbeing; however, processes associated with their outcomes remain poorly specified. This review examined environmental, attentional, relational, and programme factors associated with psychosocial outcomes and synthesised these into the RESTORE framework.Method A PRISMA 2020-guided search of CENTRAL, PsycINFO, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Scopus identified 27 eligible studies of group NBIs for adolescents aged 11–19 years (N = 8,377). Configurative thematic synthesis distinguished empirically tested from author-proposed mechanisms.Results Group NBIs were associated with improvements in wellbeing, self-efficacy, resilience, emotion regulation, and social connectedness. Benefits appeared to arise from interactions among restorative natural contexts, sustained exposure, skilled facilitation, structured challenge, guided reflection, and stable group processes fostering belonging and identity. These patterns were integrated into the RESTORE framework: Restorative contexts, Extended exposure, Soft fascination, Therapeutic facilitation, Optimal challenge, Relational density, and Emergent wellbeing, offering guidance for implementation design.Conclusion The RESTORE framework conceptualises group NBIs as complex systems in which adolescent wellbeing may reflect interactions among natural contexts, group processes, and key design features. Methodological heterogeneity and reliance on non-randomised designs limit causal inference, highlighting the need for longitudinal, mechanism-focused research on group NBIs.