Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of horticulture therapy program on self efficacy, stress response and psychiatric symptoms in patients with schizophrenia.
Method: A quasi-experimental research with a nonequivalent control group that is pre- and post test design was conducted on 29 subjects in the experimental group and 26 subjects in the control group who were patients with schizophrenia admitted from Aug 3, to Sep 25, 2012. The participants were recruited for patients with schizophrenia admitted D mental hospital located in D City. In experimental group, self efficacy, stress response and PANSS(Positive and Negative Symptom Scale) were measured before the first session and after the last session of horticulture therapy program. In control group, self efficacy, stress response and PANSS were measured at the first meeting and the next meeting that was done 8th weeks later with no intervention. The horticulture therapy program was provided to the experimental group twice a week, for 8 weeks, 60 minutes per session and there was a preliminary and post inspection. The data was analyzed through Cronbach''s α for reliability, Chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and t-test for homogeneity, and t-test for the identification of differences between the two groups using SPSS 18.0.
Results: The results of this research are as follows;
ㆍAfter attending the horticulture therapy program, in comparison between pre- and post test, the first hypothesis was verified as the value of self efficacy shows experimental group was significantly higher than control group(p= .039).
ㆍAfter attending the horticulture therapy program, in comparison between pre-post test, 2nd hypothesis was rejected as the value of stress response shows no significant discrepancy between experimental group and control group(p= .114).
ㆍAfter attending the horticulture therapy program, in comparison between pre-post test, 3rd hypothesis was verified as the value of PANSS shows experimental group was significantly lower than control group(p<001).
Conclusions: This study indicated that the horticulture therapy program enhanced self efficacy of patients with schizophrenia, lessened psychiatric symptoms.
In conclusion, it will be the effective method when a local mental health nurse uses this program for providing nursing arbitration to improve schizophrenic patient’s self efficacy and their psychiatric symptoms also could be lessened.
Based on the findings of the study, the following suggestions are made;
ㆍThis study suggests that the horticulture therapy program is very beneficial and applicable nursing intervention for patients with schizophrenia.
ㆍIt is necessary to measure long term effects of horticulture therapy program for patients with schizophrenia.
ㆍIt is recommended that the psychiatric nursing care program applied horticulture therapy program should be applied to outpatients, other mental illnesses as well.