원예활동이 초등교사의 직무스트레스와 대처능력, 직무만족도에 미치는 영향

Effects of Horticultural Activity on Job Stress, Coping Ability, and Job Satisfaction of Elementary School Teachers

This study was conducted in order to examine effects of horticultural activity program elementary school teachers’job stress, coping ability, and job satisfaction in their work places. The subjects of this study were sampled from elementary school teachers in charge of regular classes at D Elementary School in P City. They were all female, and were divided into a control group (n=8) and an experimental group (n=8). Their mean age of the control group was 53.6±5.7 years and that of the experimental group was 57.4±1.4. The mean length of service was 29.8±5.5 years in the control group, and 26.3±8.5 years in the experimental group. The experiment was conducted once a week and a total of eight sessions during the period from November 5 to December 24 in 2013. The results of this study are as follows. First, according to the results of examining positive changes in Job stress after horticultural activities by group, elementary school teachers’ Job stress decreased significantly from 66.8 before horticultural activities to 40.1 after, and the decrease of stress was observed continuously after four weeks. As to changes in job satisfaction, elementary school teachers’ job satisfaction increased significantly from 122.0 before horticultural activities to 144.5 after. These changes were probably because the participants eased tension and stabilized their body and mind while adjusting themselves to the changes of nature and interacting with nature through managing the products of horticultural activities continuously even after the activities.