Favorite Places of Estonian Adolescents

Abstract

Ninety-one preadolescent and adolescent Estonians were asked to describe their favorite places. They clearly preferred natural settings. Half the sample described their favorite place as a source of comfort, peace, and quiet. One third indicated the desirability of being in a place where nobody told them what to do. The nature theme was particularly marked among the younger group. The older group was more likely to select its own room or space and was less likely to mention being with family. More boys than girls mentioned comfort, quiet, and relaxation (60% vs. 33%), and more described natural settings (88% vs. 63%). More girls mentioned feeling safe and secure (20% vs. 0%). Places that provide respite from daily pressures appear very important in meeting the psychological needs of adolescent.