RESEARCH

Forest and Wellbeing: Bridging Medical and Forest Research for Effective Forest-Based Initiatives

This study identified key variables affecting the forest-wellbeing relationship, including interaction, forest features, sensorial dimensions, and individual traits, concluding that forest-based initiatives offer opportunities for supporting public health, though the specific contributions of forest management require further investigation.

Program Types: Therapeutic, Social

Population Groups: Older Adults/Seniors, Children/Youth, Dementia/Traumatic & Acquired Brain Injuries, Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Military/Veterans, General Population, Physical Disabilities, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions

Setting or Context: Urban vs. Rural Settings, Natural Areas/Parks/Forest, Homes/Private Residences

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Enhanced Spiritual Health, Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Sensory Stimulation

Allied Profession Intersections: Forest/Ecotherapy, Climate Psychology/Psychotherapy

Type of Activity: Forest/Natural Area Immersion, Mindfulness/Visualizations

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Meta-Analyses/Systematic Reviews, Observational Research, Qualitative Research

Measurement and Evaluation: Metrics for Mental Health, Metrics for Physical Health, Patient-Reported Outcomes

Access: Free

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Summary

This study examined the effects of a 12-week horticultural therapy (HT) program on the psychological well-being of 41 older adults living in residential care facilities in South Korea. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n=20) who received the HT intervention and a control group (n=21) who continued their usual activities. The HT program consisted of weekly 60-minute sessions focusing on various plant-related activities such as planting, flower arrangement, and creating garden crafts.

The researchers used several standardized measures to assess outcomes, including the Geriatric Depression Scale Short Form Korean Version (GDSSF-K) for depression, the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) for self-esteem, and the Life Satisfaction Index-A (LSI-A) for life satisfaction. Data were collected at baseline and post-intervention. Results showed significant improvements in the experimental group compared to the control group across all measures. The HT group experienced decreased depression scores and increased self-esteem and life satisfaction scores, while the control group showed no significant changes. These findings suggest that horticultural therapy can be an effective intervention for improving the psychological well-being of older adults in residential care settings.

Link

Doimo, I., Masiero, M., & Gatto, P. (2020). Forest and wellbeing: Bridging medical and forest research for effective forest-based initiatives. Forests, 11, 791.

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