The Effect of Group-Based Horticultural Therapy Program on the Psychological Health in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

• Main Authors: Yen-Yu, Lu, 盧嬿羽
• Other Authors: Yu-Jen Kuo
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2011
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/86356511584350245450

碩士 === 國立臺北護理健康大學 === 生死教育與輔導研究所 === 99 === There are estimated 285 millions of people suffering from diabetes in the world. The number will be expected increasing to 430 million in 2030. Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic illness usually accompanied with depression. According to many research results, type 2 diabetes mellitus is an established risk factor for the development of depression. Meanwhile, prior researches revealed that horticultural therapy could help patients with chronic disease in psychophysical health. Thus, the main goal of my research tried to use a group-base horticultural therapy as activities to improve the psychological health of patients and take care of their life furthermore. The study was based on “Taiwanese Depression Questionnaire; TDQ”, “The efficacy of horticultural therapy evaluation form”, and qualitative research that were completed before and after 6 weeks of conducting horticultural activities. Nine diabetic patients from a medical center were enrolled in our study. According to TDQ test, the results shown that there was significantly reduction from 24.4 to 5.56 of clients. The emotional management, physical, memory, self-confidence, interesting, and self-esteem of clients were statistically and significantly improved. Our research were also found that the patients had significantly benefits in increasing interests in other things beside works, even feeling relaxed, feeling good about themselves, emotional control, and horticultural skills. However, although no significant difference in their social relation to their families was noted, but improved trend was noted practically. The results of our study suggest that a health care model for people who suffered from chronic illness, especially in their psychological well-being, could be helpful through horticultural therapy activities.