Effects of Horticultural Activity Based on Self-growth Group Counseling on the Self-esteem, Ego-resilience, and Stress of Adolescents for Educational Welfare

Abstract

The purposes of this study were to examine the factors of psychological maladjustment experienced by adolescents for educational welfare, and to analyze the effects of a self-growth group counseling program applied to horticultural activities, which have been considered effective social alternatives, on adolescents' self-esteem, ego-resilience, and stress change. For these purposes, the program was executed for 8 th-grade students at Y Middle School through 10 sessions, once a week, and 100 minutes per session during the period from 5 September to 14 November in 2014. As to difference between before and after the program, when the horticultural activity program based on self-growth group counseling was applied, the control group included many negative ranks in self-esteem before and after, and thus there wasn't significant change, but all the subjects in the experimental group showed highly significant improvement (P=0.005). As to changes in ego-resilience, both the control group and the experimental group included many positive ranks and the changes were significant, but the significance was somewhat higher in the experimental group than in the control group (P=0.007). A decrease in stress is indicated by a large number of negative ranks. The control group had many positive ranks, and thus the change was not significant. In the experimental group, all the subjects had a negative rank and therefore the change was highly significant (P=0.005). If such a horticultural activity program is applied to adolescents through a longer period, it is believed to bring a positive change in them.

Efficacy of a Horticultural Therapy Program Designed for Emotional Stability and Career Exploration among Adolescents in Juvenile Detention Centers

“…The expectations and curiosity about new plants and activities observed in each session appear to support the problem-solving ability of the participants. This result is in line with those of a previous study where attachment to plants and curiosity in a cultivation-based horticultural therapy program were found to be effective in improving the psychological health of adult prisoners [ 42 ]; in another study, horticultural therapy was effective in improving ego-resiliency by stimulating children’s interest and curiosity [ 43 , 44 , 45 ].…”

Effects of Horticultural Therapy Programs on Depression and Self-esteem in Released-Convicts

“…This result coincided with the results of earlier studies including those of Nam et al (2010) and Yun and Yoo (2011) on the self-esteem of children; those of Chon (2008), Jeong et al (2010), Kim (2014) and Kong et al (2015) on the selfesteem of the elderly; that of Jeon et al (2016) conducted among adolescents; and that of Son et al (2000) conducted among patients with chronic schizophrenia. However, it did not coincide with the results of the study of Kim et al (1999) that reported no statistically significant difference in selfesteem after offering a supportive group therapy program, and those of the study of Chi (2010) conducted on inmates.…”

“…Kang et al (2015) also found that green activities among other leisure activities were effective to reduce the stress and depression of the elderly, and Kwon et al (2011) reported the positive effects of horticultural therapy programs on the depression and stress of hospice care patients. Jeon et al (2016) also confirmed the significant effect of such programs on the self-esteem, ego resiliency and stress of low-income children.…”

“…In the study on the relations between horticultural therapy programs and self-esteem (Jeon et al, 2016), it was reported that self-esteem was enhanced by opportunities to experience the joy of planting, to understand the importance of plants, to finish their own work and to express their feelings. Kong et al (2015) pointed out that participants started to recognize the importance of their role in growing plants, and that their confidence and self-esteem were increased.…”