원예활동이 중학생 자녀를 둔 어머니의 스트레스와 행복감에 미치는 영향

Effects of Horticultural Activity on Stress and Happiness in Mothers with Middle School Students

To identify the effects of the horticultural activity on the stress and the happiness of mothers with middle school students, a horticultural activity was planned and executed. For the purpose of the study, participants were recruited in the parents’ association in a middle school in D city. Out of 24 applicants, 20 candidates were selected in the pretest to make the group considerably homogeneous and they were placed in the control group and in the experimental group. During the study period from December 1, 2011 to January 19, 2012, total 15 sessions were performed 10 to 12 in the morning every Tuesday and Thursday. Horticultural activity was divided into First, Middle and Latter Phase. To make them understand the program and norms of the group, build relationship and induce interest in gardening, orientation and simple and easy programs were performed. In the middle phase, Christmas related gardening program was performed according to the season in order to induce the attention and interest of family and friends, enhance the confidence and sense of achievements by completing works and reduce the stress and enhance the happiness through such diverse horticultural activities. In the latter phase, planting program was performed to maintain the attention and interest in the gardening even after the termination of the program. The followings are the summary of the results: In the stress tests executed before and after the horticultural program, the control group did not show much difference in stress while the experimental group showed big reduction. By sub-items, they showed significant decrease in social role and performance, depression, sleeping order and anxiety. In the happiness test executed before and after the horticultural program, the control group showed little enhancement in the quality of life only and did not show much difference in other items. On the contrary, the experimental group showed significant increase in autonomy, quality of life and human relationship, and showed increase (though not significant) in other items as well. In overall satisfaction for the program, 70% answered that they had been satisfied much and the preferred program was in the order of Foliage Llant Assemble-planting, Fleshy Plant Assemble-planting, Flower Basket, and Terrarium and they preferred the works with higher degree of completion in the middle and latter phase. From the above study results, it could be concluded that horticultural activity on the mothers with middles school students was effective in stress reduction and happiness improvement.