No abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate 199 subfertile women 's interest in and needs for forest therapy programs according to their demographic characteristics in a subfertile clinic in Seoul to provide basic data. The results of this study were summarized as follows. First, the perception and experience of subfertile women about forest therapy were all low, but their intention to participate was generally positive. Second, the type of forest therapy preferred by subfertile women was a half-day small group that they can participate with their spouse during weekends. Third, subfertile women expected phytoncide (35.8%) and a high level of oxygen (29.9%) from forest therapy programs. Fourth, subfertile women expected physical and mental health such as improved blood circulation and immunity, and meditation opportunity from forest therapy. Fifth, subfertile women expected from forest therapists understanding and sympathy (62.2%). This study conducted a survey on 199 subfertile women only. Through follow-up studies that involve more subfertile subjects and a broader region, it will be possible to develop more effective forest therapy programs for promoting the physical and mental health of subfertile subjects.

This study aimed to analyze the preference of subfertile women for forest therapy programs depending on their emotional characteristics, and to provide basic data for the development of forest therapy programs in order to promote the mental health of subfertile women. Among the surveyed emotional characteristics of subfertile women, the level of emotions including pressure to become pregnant, impatience and frustration were high, while that of emotions including anxiety and fear; depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness and sadness tended to be medium. The level of emotions including shame and guilt tended to be low. The top six forest therapy programs preferred by subfertile women include a deep breath of air /phytoncide, forest bathing/wind bathing/sun bathing, self-esteem recovery program, eating organic foods, low body bathing/foot bathing/hot spring bathing, and breathing/breathing exercises. Subfertile women highly pressured to become pregnant showed significant differences in the preference of the self-esteem recovery program, Domar 's relaxation therapy, NLP therapy, and sleeping in the woods, while women with anxiety and fear showed significant differences in the preference of walking barefoot in forests, mountain walking in silence, listening to water sounds/ hand and foot soak, self-esteem recovery program, NLP therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, aroma therapy, integrated art therapy in forests, forest bathing/wind bathing/sunbathing, a deep breath of air/phytoncide, and observing stars. Women with depression, hopelessness, helplessness, loneliness, and sadness showed significant differences in eating organic foods, self-esteem recovery program, counseling/coaching, and cognitive behavior therapy. The significance of this study was to analyze the preference of subfertile women, as subjects, for forest therapy program. The results of this study are expected to be used as basis data for developing forest therapy programs for subfertile women.