Effects of Color Stimuli Application in Horticultural Therapy on the Changes in Challenging Behaviors of the Developmentally Disabled

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of applying color stimuli to a horticultural therapy program in an effort to analyze motivational factors of challenging behaviors of the developmentally disabled. Twelve subjects from residential facilities for the disabled attended total 15 sessions of programs, which utilized green plants and other materials with vivid colors such as sand, clay, paints, flowers, ribbons. The analyzing method was based on the Motivation Assessment Scale and a 16-item questionnaire was used to assess changes in the motivational factors of challenging behaviors at pre-, mid-, post-, and one month after the program. As a result, all motivational factors of attention, escape, tangible, and sensory factor changed significantly with p=.013, .005, .000, and .008 respectively. For periodic comparison of effects, effects in changes of challenging behaviors became significant as the program advanced from mid- (p=.046) to post- (p=.003) program and lasted up to one month later (p=.001). Horticultural therapy programs focused on color stimuli can provide positive changes to challenging behaviors of developmentally disabled.