Promotion of positive youth development through a horticultural therapy program among Chinese adolescents

Abstract

Most of the horticultural therapy programs have been conducted among individuals with special needs or health-related problems. To better understand how these programs can benefit other service recipients, more research is warranted. The present study investigated the impacts of a horticultural therapy program among Chinese secondary school students (Secondary 2) across three years (2013-2015). Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected to explore how the participants perceived such a program. Results showed that over 90% of the students were satisfied with the program and the program implementers. Similar results were shown in the focus group interview data, with participants reporting positive changes in their intra- and interpersonal growth. Findings of the present study extend the literature by demonstrating the beneficial effects of horticultural therapy on adolescents with greater psychosocial needs.