Journal of Rehabilitation Sciences & Research

Study of the Effect of Using Purposeful Activity (Gardening) on Depression of Female Resident in Golestan Dormitory of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences

Document Type : Original Articles

Authors

Sahar Ghanbari 1
Farzaneh Jafari 2
Nahid Bagheri 2
Samaneh Neamtolahi 3
Razieh Shayanpour 4

1 Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

2 Counseling Center of Psychology, School of Hygienic Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

3 Master of Mathematical Statistics, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran

4 M.A. in TESOL, School of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

https://doi.org/10.30476/jrsr.2015.41066
Abstract
Background: Students encounter many stressful factors during their educational time. Stress can result in different physical and mental disorders such as depression. One intervention is using purposeful activity of gardening. The goal of this research is to investigate the effect of using purposeful activity (gardening) on depression of female resident in Golestan dormitory of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences. This study was an experimental field research with pre and post tests in case controlled groups in the year of 2012-2013. Fifty depressed female students of Golestan dormitory in Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences participated in the study. Students were randomly allocated to case and controlled groups. Both groups were taken Beck Depression Inventory. Then gardening sessions (seed and small tree planting) were carried on in dormitory yard for 3 days a week for two months. Each session took approximately one hour. Both groups were assessed with the same questionnaire again after intervention.Results: The results showed a significant recovery after intervention in case group based on the depression scores (P= 0.0001).Conclusion: According to this study, it seems that using purposeful activity of gardening has positive effects on decreasing depression in depressed female students. 

Keywords

occupational therapy
Gardening
depression
Students
Dormitory
  1. Ghalebandi MF. Clinical psychiatry.1st ed. Tehran: Farhangsazan; 2000.91-104. [In Persian]
  2. Ershadi Kia B, Shajar iA, Tayebi F, Yaghoobi Far M. Identifying the prevalence and contributing factors of depression in students of health and health-related schools of Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences in academic year 2009-2010. The Journal of Research Committee of Students at Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences 2011;16(1,2):33-43[In Persian].
  3. Grant A. Identifying students concern: taking a whole institutional approach in student mental health needs: problems and responses. London: Jessica Kingsley publication 2002.
  4. Watanabe N. A survey of mental health of university students in Japan. International Medical Journal 1995; 6: 175-79.
  5. Rezaee Adriani M, Azadi A, Ahmadi F, Vahedian Azimi A. Comparison of depression, anxiety, stress and quality of life in dormitories students of Tarbiat Modares University. Iranian Journal of Nursing Research 2007; 2(5): 31-8. [In Persian].
  6. Gammon J, Morgan SM. A study to ascertain the effect of structured student tutorial support on student stress, self esteem and coping. Nurse Educ in Prac 2005; 5: 161-71.
  7. Ryan ME, Twibell RS. Concerns, values, stress, coping, health and educational outcomes of college students who studied abroad. International Journal of Intercultural Relations 2000; 24: 409-35.
  8. Gonzalez MT, Hartig T, Patil GG, Martinsen EW, Kirkevold M. Therapeutic horticulture in clinical depression: a prospective study of active components. J Adv Nurs 2010; 66 (9):2002-13.
  9. Wiseman T, Sadlo G. Gardening: An Occupation for Recovery and Wellness. International Handbook of Occupational Therapy Interventions: Springer 2015:797-809.
  10. Sempik J, Aldridgem J, Becker S. Social and therapeutic horticulture: evidence and messages from research. Leicestershire, UK: Centre for Chil and Family Research, Loughborough University 2003.
  11. York M, Wiseman T. Gardening as an occupation: a critical review. The British Journal of Occupational Therapy 2012;75(2):76-84.
  12. Rajabi GR, Karju Kamaee S. Sufficiency of psychometric indexes of Persian Beck depression inventory (BDI-II). J of Educational Measurement 2012; 3(10): 139-57. [In Persian]
  13. Son KC. Um SJ, Kim SY, Song JE. Effect of horticultural therapy on changes of self esteem and sociality of individuals with chronic schizophrenia. Acta Horticulture 2004, 639: 181-91.
  14. Clatworthy J, Hinds J, Camic PM. Gardening as a mental health intervention: a review. Mental Health Review Journal 2013; 18(4):214-25.
  15. Gonzalez MT, Hartig T, Patil GG, Martinsen EW, Kirkevold M. Therapeutic horticulture in clinical depression: a prospective study. Res Theory Nurs Pract.2009; 23 (4):312-28.
  16. Wilson JF. The Relationship of Outdoor Recreation and Gardening with Depression among Individuals with Disabilities 2012. All Graduate Theses and Dissertations. Paper1311. http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/etd/1311.
  17. Kam M CY, Siu A MH. Evaluation of horticultural activity program for persons with psychiatric illness. HKOT 2010; 20(2): 80-6.

Home

Guide for Authors

Submit Manuscript

Guide for Reviewers

Contact Us