RESEARCH

Personality Disorder and Intellectual Disability: The Impacts of Horticultural Therapy Within a Medium-Secure Unit

Horticultural therapy intervention had highly positive outcomes for the service users, providing them with a place of escape and rejuvenation, fostering motivation and productivity, and offering occupational rewards. These benefits appeared to stem from the natural environment, varied tasks, and the perceived rewards of participation, leading to improvements in their subjective well-being.

Program Types: Therapeutic

Population Groups: Mental Health Challenges/Trauma, Rehabilitation, Chronic/Acute Health Conditions, Corrections/Justice-Involved, Neurodevelopmental Differences

Setting or Context: Hospitals/Clinics, Rehabilitation Centers, Residential Programs, Jails/Prisons

Health and Wellness Outcomes: Enhanced Emotional Well-being, Greater Sense of Purpose, Increased Sense of Belonging (Reduced Isolation), Improved Stress Management, Improved Cognitive Function, Better Nutritional Awareness, Increased Social Engagement & Skills, Greater Job Readiness & Vocational Skills, Increased Self-Efficacy

Allied Profession Intersections: Recreational Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Behavioral Therapy, Landscape Design

Type of Activity: Outdoor Gardening, Edible Plant Gardening, Meal/Diet-Based Activities, Vocational Skill Development, Growing Plants from Seed

Evidence Type: Peer-Reviewed Studies, Qualitative Research, Anecdotal Evidence/Testimonials

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

Access: Free

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Summary

This study looked at how gardening helped seven men who had both learning disabilities and personality disorders in a secure hospital in the UK. The researchers wanted to understand if working in a garden could improve their health and well-being. To do this, they talked to the men in three group discussions. The first discussion happened before a new garden was even open, to see what the men expected. The second was after they had been gardening for nine months, and the last one was after a full year, to hear about their overall experiences and what they felt they gained. The men themselves were involved in designing and looking after the garden.

The researchers then carefully looked at what the men said in these discussions to find common themes in their experiences. They identified that the garden helped the men by giving them a place to relax and escape stress, made them feel more motivated and hopeful, and gave them a sense of achievement and purpose through the work they did. For instance, in each of the three focus groups, which involved six to seven service users, participants consistently described the garden as a calming and stress-reducing environment. Overall, the study highlights positive personal health benefits and personal development for these service users as a result of their engagement with the horticultural activities.

Link

Christie, M. A., Thomson, M., Miller, P. K., & Cole, F. (2016). The Impacts of Horticultural Therapy Within a MediumSecure Unit. Journal of Therapeutic Horticulture, 26(1), 3–18. JSTOR. https://doi.org/10.2307/24865273

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