RESEARCH

Impact of a Nature-Based Intervention on Incarcerated Women

The study found that after a group gardening activity, many participants experienced improved emotions, such as feeling happier and more hopeful. Although the sample size was small, results showed shifts toward positive feelings on the emoji-based scale used to measure emotional state.

Program Types: Social

Population Groups: Corrections/Justice-Involved

Setting or Context: Jails/Prisons

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Improved Mental Health, Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Increased Horticultural Knowledge, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Indoor Plant Care

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research, Quantitative Research

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

Access: Paid

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Summary

This research paper looked at how gardening activities affected women who are incarcerated, focusing on their emotions and well-being. The researchers used interviews, group discussions, and a simple emoji-based scale to measure changes in how the women felt before and after participating in a group planting activity, sometimes called a “planting party.” The scale measured feelings like happiness, peacefulness, calmness, and hopefulness, and allowed the women to quickly mark how they were feeling. The analysis combined both the stories from participants and these measured scores to understand the emotional impact of the gardening activity.

The findings suggest that the planting activity had a positive effect on the women’s emotional states, with many participants showing shifts toward more positive feelings such as happiness and hope. The results were checked by having two researchers review the data, and some basic statistical tests suggested that the changes were meaningful, even though the group was small, so the conclusions should be considered with some caution.