원예활동 프로그램이 중년여성의 자아존중감과 스트레스에 미치는 영향

Abstract

Abstract

Effects of Horticultural Activity Program on Self-esteem and Stress for Middle-Aged Women

The present study was aimed to examine whether the horticultural activity program improves the self-esteem and decrease psychological․physical stress in the middle aged women. The subjects of this study were 35 middle aged women who live in S country. They were assigned either for the test(n=19) or for the control group(n=16). The test group participated in horticultural activity program consisting of a 90 minute session twice a week during the period of 10 weeks, while the control group did not. The research tools were Rosenberg(1965)'s self-esteem questionnaires(5 point scale) with minor revision of Jeon(1989) and Park(1999)'s psychological․physical stress(4 point scale). Data were collected between the 23rd June and 30th August in 2008, and analyzed by ？2- test, t-test and paired t-test using a SPSS 12.0 program.

The results obtained were as follows:

1. The condition between the test group and the control group prior to the test was almost equivalent(p> .05).

2. Hypothesis 1 : Test groups that were provided horticultural activity program have more improved self-esteem than the control group. This was supported. There was a significant change for the self-esteem of the test group after the program(t= -2.670, p= .016). And there was no significant change for the self-esteem of the control group(t= 1.000, p= .333). After the programs there was significant difference between the test group and the control group(t= 2.428, p= .021).

3. Hypothesis 2 : Test groups that were provided horticultural activity program have more decreased psychological stress than the control group. This was supported. There was a significant change in the psychological stress of the test group after the program(t= 2.360, p= .030). And there was no significant change in the psychological stress of the control group(t= -1.000, p= .333). After the programs there was significant difference between the test group and the control group(t= -3.530, p= .001).

4. Hypothesis 3 : Test groups that were provided horticultural activity program have more decreased physical stress than the control group. This was supported. There was a significant change for the physical stress of the test group after the program(t= 2.269, p= .036). And there was no significant change for the physical stress of the control group(t= 1.000, p= .334). After the programs there was significant difference between the test group and the control group((t= -2.998, p= .005).

In conclusion, horticultural activity program is supported as an effective intervention to improve the self-esteem and decrease psychological․physical stress in the middle aged women. So, it is necessary to replicate this study with larger samples. In addition, it may be desirable for the middle aged women to develop and continuously practice various horticultural activity program.