Effects of Forest Therapy on Psychological Improvement in Middle-aged Women in Korea
- Author:
Bum-Jin PARK
1
;
Won-Sop SHIN
;
Chang-Seob SHIN
;
Poung-Sik YEON
;
Chung-Yeub CHUNG
;
Si-Hyung LEE
;
Dong-Jun KIM
;
Youn-Hee KIM
;
Chang-Eun PARK
Author Information
- Publication Type:Brief Report
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2022;55(5):492-497
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Objectives:Women experience more stress in middle age than in other periods of their lives. Therefore, health management programs that enable middle-aged women to cope with and manage stress are needed. This study investigated the psychological effects of a meditation-focused forest therapy program among 53 middle-aged women living in urban areas in Korea.
Methods:Participants were divided into 2 groups: one group underwent the program for 3 days in a forest, followed by 3 days in an urban environment, and the other group underwent the program for 3 days in the urban environment, followed by 3 days in the forest. The psychological effects of the forest therapy program were evaluated using the Profile of Mood States-Brief (POMS-B). Differences in mood state before and after the program conducted in the forest (experimental group) and in the urban environment (control group) were evaluated using the paired-samples t-test.
Results:The program in the forest significantly reduced tension, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion among the domains of the POMS-B. The program in the urban area significantly reduced tension, but not depression, anger, fatigue, or confusion.
Conclusions:Meditation-focused forest therapy programs are expected to contribute to promoting psychological health and enhancing the quality of life of middle-aged women.
