Date Presented 04/04/2025
Active engagement in natural environments has been shown to be beneficial for well-being. This study’s purpose was to examine collegiate students’ utilization of a therapeutic garden on a college campus and the impact on their quality of life.
Primary Author and Speaker: Theresa Delbert
Additional Authors and Speakers: Kasey E. Stepansky, Janet C. Bucey, Diana Goodman
PURPOSE: Wellbeing and mental health can be negatively impacted due to the occupations and roles intrinsic to being a student in higher education. Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are experts in evaluating occupational performance by intentionally choosing supportive contexts to engage clients in meaningful roles and routines. Given that active engagement in natural environments has been shown to have benefits for wellbeing, it is a useful therapeutic medium for OTPs.The study’s purpose was to examine students’ use of a therapeutic garden on a university campus and the impact on quality of life (QoL). The study’s hypothesis was that spending time in the therapeutic sensory garden would positively impact participant well-being.
DESIGN: A case series design was utilized to track self-reported measures of QoL. Participants were instructed to spend at least 1 hour per week over four weeks in the therapeutic sensory garden on campus.
METHOD: Student participants were assessed using the EURO-HIS-QOL-8, and Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS). Quantitative data analysis included reporting demographics and PANAS trends across time. A Wilcoxin Signed Rank Test was conducted on the pre/post scores of the total QOL score as well as each category of the EUROHIS-QOL-8 to assess differences from pre to post intervention.
RESULTS: Pre-post quantitative measures of QoL show significant improvement. Results were triangulated with reduction in negative affect following garden visits.
CONCLUSION: OTPs can consult in higher ed to support the creation of nature-based contexts that support campus community self-care and well-being. By validating that a therapeutic sensory garden improves QoL and reduces negative affect among college students, this study provides an evidence-base for integrating nature into college wellness programs. Findings advocate for the intentional design and implementation of therapeutic gardens to enhance student mental health and wellbeing.
References
Holt, E.W., Lombard, Q.K., Best, N., Smiley-Smith, S. & Quinn, J.E. (2019). Active and passive use of green space, health, and well-being amongst university students. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(3), 1–13. http://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16030424
Souter-Brown, G., Hinckson, E. & Duncan, S. (2021). Effects of a sensory garden on workplace wellbeing: A randomised control trial. Landscape and Urban Planning, 207(103997), 1–10. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103997
Jeffres, L.W., Bracken, C.C., Jian, G., & Casey, M.D. (2009), The impact of third spaces on community quality of life, Applied Research in Quality of Life, 4(4), 333–345.
