Honeybees are vital pollinators and contribute significantly to human health and environmental sustainability. However, the psychological and social wellbeing impacts of beekeeping on humans are under-researched. This study addresses this gap by examining the effects of beekeeping, specifically within the context of the Let it Bee project in Ireland, a program designed to improve biodiversity and water source protection by providing beehives, training, and mentoring to 30 farmers. The project aimed to reverse the decline in biodiversity caused by agricultural practices, a significant problem in Ireland. Previous research suggests positive correlations between beekeeping and wellbeing, citing improved family relations, increased community respect, and positive emotions like flow and social connection. However, these studies lacked a dedicated psychological framework. This research utilizes Positive Psychology principles to investigate the emotional, psychological, and social dimensions of beekeeping's impact on wellbeing, aiming to contribute to both environmental and psychological research.

While the benefits of honeybees for human health and environmental sustainability are well-documented, research on the psychological and social wellbeing aspects of beekeeping is limited. Existing studies, primarily from Vietnam and Italy, have shown positive impacts on family relationships, community respect, and emotional well-being among beekeepers. However, these studies lacked a thorough psychological framework, primarily utilizing entomological and anthropological lenses. This study aims to fill this gap by using a Positive Psychology framework to explore the emotional, psychological, and social impacts of beekeeping, focusing on the concept of flourishing and the resources that contribute to it.

This qualitative research project, conducted between February and June 2023, employed a mixed-methods approach. Ethical approval was obtained from the RCSI ethics committee. Twelve participants (ten males and two females), representing a range of farm sizes and ages, were recruited from the Let it Bee project. The methodology involved a two-part process. First, a pre-interview survey collected demographic data and assessed participants' perceptions of the project's impact on various aspects of their lives (enjoyment, meaningfulness, profitability, stress, community connection, family life, biodiversity, and water quality). This data was analyzed descriptively using SPSS. Second, in-depth, semi-structured "walking" interviews were conducted. These interviews focused on participants' involvement in the project, its impact on their personal wellbeing, and its effect on their families. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using inductive and deductive Thematic Analysis with the assistance of MAXQDA software. Two researchers independently coded the data, and themes were collaboratively agreed upon.

The pre-interview survey indicated that the majority of participants found the Let it Bee project enjoyable and meaningful, with many reporting improved biodiversity and water quality in their areas. Fewer reported financial gains or increased stress. The qualitative analysis of the interviews revealed five key themes: 1. **Pride:** Participants expressed pride in their beekeeping activities, stemming from producing high-quality honey, contributing to community health, and having a positive environmental impact. 2. **Togetherness:** This theme encompassed enhanced connections with nature, bees, other beekeepers, and family members. Beekeeping fostered a sense of shared purpose and mutual support. Participants described a unique connection with bees, even reporting a synchronicity of emotions. 3. **Greater Good:** Beekeepers felt they were contributing to something larger than themselves, both environmentally and socially. This included a sense of meaningfulness in their work and a shift in perspective toward community and environmental responsibility. 4. **Value:** Beekeeping was seen as valuable for personal growth, providing opportunities for continuous learning, experiencing states of flow, and fostering a sense of restoration and rejuvenation. 5. **Character Strengths:** Beekeeping allowed participants to leverage their individual character strengths, whether it was teaching others, leading initiatives, or simply showing kindness. The findings show resonance between human and bee emotional experiences, suggesting a form of "positivity resonance" warranting further biological investigation.

The study's findings strongly support the hypothesis that beekeeping, within a pro-environmental initiative, positively impacts the wellbeing of participants and their families. The themes identified align with key concepts in Positive Psychology, including flourishing, eudaimonia (living a virtuous life), and psychological richness. The "togetherness" theme particularly highlights the interconnectedness of individual wellbeing with community and environmental health. The "greater good" theme demonstrates the importance of pro-environmental actions not just for environmental sustainability but also for personal meaning and fulfillment. This challenges the prevailing narrative that environmental concerns lead primarily to anxiety and distress. The identification of "positivity resonance" between humans and bees opens exciting new avenues for research into human-animal interactions and their impact on wellbeing.

This study provides pioneering evidence of the positive psychological impacts of beekeeping, particularly within the context of pro-environmental initiatives. The findings contribute significantly to both environmental and psychological research, demonstrating the links between pro-environmental behaviors and wellbeing. Beekeeping emerges as a potential positive psychology intervention, promoting individual and family wellbeing while contributing to environmental conservation. Further research should focus on expanding the sample size, exploring diverse motivations for beekeeping, and investigating the wellbeing of individual family members to solidify these findings and explore their broader implications.

The study's limitations include a relatively small and potentially non-representative sample, the specific focus of the Let it Bee project on water quality (which might have influenced outcomes), and the exclusive focus on the beekeepers' perspectives on family wellbeing. Future studies should address these limitations by including larger, more diverse samples, considering various motivations for beekeeping, and investigating the perspectives of family members directly.