RESEARCH
The Effects of Greenhouse Activities on Psychological Stress, Depression, and Anxiety among University Students Who Served in the U.S. Armed Forces
Summary
This study investigated the effectiveness of a 6-week indoor plant care program on the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among university students who had served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Recognizing the significant mental health concerns among both student populations and veterans, particularly regarding conditions like PTSD, the research aimed to explore non-pharmacological interventions. The study employed a pre-post design with a control group. Participants were self-selected from the Texas State University student population and assigned to either a treatment group (n=8 completed) receiving the plant care program or a control group (n=9 completed). The intervention involved weekly one-hour group sessions focused on various plant care and propagation activities like creating hypertufa planters, propagating succulents, and caring for indoor plants. Psychological states were measured using the 21-item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), a self-report Likert scale administered before and after the 6-week period.
The results indicated positive effects of the plant care program, particularly on depression and stress levels. While the DASS-21 measures showed no significant differences in anxiety for either group or stress for the treatment group pre- vs. post-intervention, there was a significant positive difference within the treatment group’s pretest and posttest depression scores. Furthermore, a comparison of posttest scores between the treatment and control groups found statistically significant differences in overall stress, with the treatment group showing lower scores. Analysis of individual DASS items also revealed significant differences in specific depression and stress statements, suggesting the treatment group experienced more positive feelings and less agitation. Qualitative data from the treatment group further supported these findings, with participants reporting a noticeable reduction in stress and finding the classes something to look forward to. The study concluded that plant care can be a beneficial supplementary intervention for veterans and students experiencing stress, though limitations included the small sample size and self-selection.
