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RESEARCH

Community Gardening: Stress, Well-Being, and Resilience Potentials

The study found that community gardeners in Singapore experienced significantly higher well-being, resilience, and optimism than home gardeners and non-gardeners. This suggests that community gardening is especially effective in boosting mental health and helping people cope with stress.
Program Types: Therapeutic
Population Groups: General Population
Setting or Context: Community Gardens
Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Improved Stress Management
Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy
Type of Activity: Sensory Stimulation, Indoor Plant Care, Environmental Education
Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies
Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Program Effectiveness
Access: Free
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Summary

This research paper investigated how participating in community gardening affects people’s mental health and ability to handle stress, focusing on residents in Singapore. The study surveyed 111 people, dividing them into three groups: community gardeners, home gardeners, and those who did not garden. The results showed that people who took part in community gardening reported higher levels of well-being, resilience (the ability to bounce back from stress), and optimism than both home gardeners and non-gardeners. The researchers suggest that these benefits may come from the combination of physical activity, social interaction, and connection to nature that community gardens provide.

The findings highlight that community gardening offers more mental health benefits than gardening at home or simply spending time outdoors. Community gardens not only give people a chance to grow plants together but also help build social bonds, reduce stress, and improve self-esteem. The study suggests that encouraging community gardening could be a valuable way to promote mental health and resilience in urban settings, especially where stress and isolation are common.

Link

Koay, W. I., & Dillon, D. (2020). Community gardening: Stress, well-being, and resilience potentials. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(18), 6740

 

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