The Influence of Gardening Activities on Consumer Perceptions of Life Satisfaction

Abstract

<jats:p>A survey based on the Life Satisfaction Inventory A (LSIA) was used to investigate gardeners' and nongardeners' perceptions of life satisfaction. The LSIA was developed in 1961 by Neugarten and measures five components of quality of life including zest for life, resolution and fortitude, congruence between desired and achieved goals, high physical, psychological and social self-concept, and a happy optimistic mood tone. The survey was posted for four months on one of the largest online resources for Texas Master Gardeners within the Aggie Horticulture network, the Texas Master Gardener Web page (<jats:ext-link xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xlink:href="http:aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/mastergd/mg.html" ext-link-type="url" xlink:type="simple">http:aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/mastergd/mg.html</jats:ext-link>). During the 4 months, 402 responses were gathered. Additionally, identical `paper/pencil' format surveys were distributed to garden, church, social and community groups with about 400 responses received. In each group of participants, respondents differentiated themselves as gardeners or nongardeners by responding positively or negatively to the survey question, Do you garden? Results indicated statistically significant differences in comparisons of the overall life satisfaction scores with gardeners receiving higher mean scores indicating more positive results on the LSIA. When responses to individual statements were analyzed, results indicated statistically significant differences on 20% of the statements. Differences were detected on statements relating to energy levels, optimism, zest for life, and physical self-concept with gardeners answering more positively on all statements when compared to nongardeners' responses. Additionally, gardeners rated their overall health and their physical activity levels higher than did nongardeners.</jats:p>

A Prospective Study of Existential Issues in Therapeutic Horticulture for Clinical Depression

“…They also evaluated highly the aesthetic experience and the experience of taking care of nature. These experiences fit with the existential perspectives on TH presented in this paper and are in line with earlier research (Irvine & Warber, 2002;Kidd & Brascamp, 2004;Unruh, 2000;Waliczek et al, 2005). The qualitative data thus give some support to the idea that TH addresses existential issues.…”

“…The results from studies regarding the influence of TH on quality of life vary; both nonsignificant (Richards & Kafami, 1999;Sempik, 2007) and significant changes (Heliker, Chadwick, & O'Connell, 2000;Waliczek, Zajicek, & Lineberger, 2005) have been reported. Participants in TH programs have often reported that participating was a positive experience (Fieldhouse, 2003;Perrins-Margalis, 2000;74 M. T. GONZALEZ ET AL.…”

“…Sempik, Aldridge, & Becker, 2005). Activities in gardens, and the experience of nature more generally, involve spiritual and existential issues, in non-clinical as well as clinical groups (Fredrickson & Anderson, 1999;Irvine & Warber, 2002;Kidd & Brascamp, 2004;Mayer, Frantz, Bruehlman-Senecal, & Dolliver, 2009;Unruh, 2000Unruh, , 2004Waliczek et al, 2005). This article reports on two studies that looked at change in individuals' existential issues during a TH program for people with clinical depression.…”

Gardening is beneficial for health: A meta-analysis

“…As wellbeing variables were in many cases measured on a subjective scale (e.g. depression, anxiety, quality of life, life satisfaction) (Ghanbari et al, 2015, Kam and Siu, 2010, Kotozaki, 2014, van den Berg et al, 2010, Waliczek et al, 2005, Wood et al, 2016), they were more likely to respond immediately than objective health outcomes (e.g. BMI) (Park et al, 2009, van den Berg et al, 2010, Wood et al, 2016, Zick et al, 2013).…”

Changes in experienced value of everyday occupations after nature-based vocational rehabilitation

“…Results indicate that occupations performed in nature are experienced as meaningful and have beneficial effects on health and well-being (18)(19)(20)(21). It has been argued that caring for plants can foster a life beyond oneself (22), and gardening and horticultural occupations in particular have been measured as having positive effects on life satisfaction (23) and bringing about changes, such as rediscovering the importance of the enjoyable experiences of everyday occupations (17,24). It has also been argued that nature and the use of natural environments can facilitate recovery from stress (16,(25)(26)(27)(28).…”