Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-gxg78 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-27T07:12:33.822Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Impact of Physical Disability on Pursuit of Gardening Activities in Mid-Aged Women

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 August 2015

Nancy A. Pachana ,
Judith L. Kidd  and
Fiona M. Alpass
Nancy A. Pachana*
Affiliation:
Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Judith L. Kidd
Affiliation:
Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
Fiona M. Alpass
Affiliation:
Massey University, Palmerston North, New Zealand
*
Nancy Pachana Ph.D, Department of Psychology, University of QueenslandQLD 4072, Australia. Email: n.pachana@mauilbox.uq.edu.au
Get access

Abstract

Research on horticultural therapy approaches suggest that its positive impact on clients may extend beyond direct rehabilitation or vocational gains to more generally improved well-being. Persons in rehabilitation programs may relate to gardening as a previously enjoyed past time, or as a new activity for either leisure or employment purposes. While gardening is a popular leisure activity in many countries, few studies have looked at what specific gardening activities community-based populations pursue. As part of a larger mail-out survey looking at gardening interests of mid-aged women, a sub-sample of physically disabled women was compared to healthy age-matched women on gardening activities and interests. Physical and psychological functioning and well-being were also sampled. Both groups completed the SF-36 Health Survey for Australia/New Zealand, the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, and a gardening questionnaire tapping gardening activities and hours per month on these activities, as well as the reasons for pursuing gardening. Group differences emerged on physical and psychological functioning variables, but for virtually all gardening variables, group differences were minimal. Overall findings suggest that for this sample of mid-aged women, the presence of physical disability or limitation did not adversely affect their access to and enjoyment of gardening activities.

Type
Articles
Information
The Australian Journal of Rehabilitation Counselling , Volume 6 , Issue 2 , 2000 , pp. 78 - 85
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2000

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Australian Horticultural Corporation. (1996). Gardening is good for your health. Sydney: Australian Horticultural Corporation.Google Scholar
Burgess, C.W. (1990). Horticulture and its application to the institutionalized elderly. Activities, Adaptation & Aging, 14(3), 51–61.Google Scholar
Catlin, P.A., Milliom, A.B., & Milliom, M.R. (1992). Horticulture therapy promotes ëwellness,í autonomy in residents. Provider, 18(7), 40.Google Scholar
Coupland, C.A., Cliffe, S.J., Bassey, E.J., Grainge, M.J., Hosking, D.J., & Chilvers, C.E. (1999). Habitual physical activity and bone mineral density in postmenopausal women in England. International Journal of Epidemiology, 28, 241–246.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Derogatis, L.R. (1977). SCL-90 administration, scoring and procedures manual for the revised version. Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.Google Scholar
Dunnett, N. & Qasim, M. (2000). Perceived benefits to human well-being of urban gardens. Hort Technology, 10, 40–45.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Galloway, M.T. & Jokl, P. (2000). Aging successfully: The importance of physical activity in maintaining health and function. Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 8, 37–44.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Griffiths, A.E. & Griffiths, L.W. (1976). Healing through horticulture. Journal of Leisurability, 3(1), 29–35.Google Scholar
Haller, R. (1998). Vocational, social, and therapeutic programs in horticulture. In Simson, S.P. & Straus, M.C.(Eds.), Horticulture as therapy: Principles and practice (pp. 43–68). New York: The Haworth Press.Google Scholar
Hull, R.B. & Vigo, G. (1992). Urban nature, place attachment, health, and well-being. In Relf, D. (Ed.), The role of horticulture in human well-being and social development (pp. 149–152). Portland, OR: Timber Press.Google Scholar
Matsuo, E. (1992). What we may learn through horticultural activities. In Relf, D. (Ed.), The role of horticulture in human well-being and social development (pp. 146–148). Portland, OR: Timber Press.Google Scholar
New Zealand Ministry of Health. (1999). Taking the pulse: The 1996/97 New Zealand Health Survey. Wellington: Ministry of Health.Google Scholar
Rothert, E., & Daubert, J. (1981). Horticultural therapy for the mentally handicapped. Glencoe, IL: Chicago Horticultural Society, Horticultural Therapy Department.Google Scholar
Sarno, M.T., & Chambers, N. (1997). A horticultural therapy program for individuals with acquired aphasia. In Wells, S. (Ed.), Horticultural therapy and the older adult population. New York: The Hawthorn Press, pp. 81–91.Google Scholar
Strauss, D. & Gabaldo, M. (1998). Traumatic brain injury and horticultural therapy practice. In Simson, S.P. & Straus, M.C. (Eds.), Horticulture as therapy: Principles and practice (pp. 105–129). New York: The Haworth Press.Google Scholar
Ulrich, R.S. (1984). View through a window may influence recovery from surgery. Science, 224, 420–421.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Ware, J.E., Kosinski, M., & Keller, S.D. (1994). SF-36 physical and mental health summary scales: A useris manual. Boston, MA: The Health Institute, New England Medical Center.Google Scholar
Wichrowski, M., Chambers, N.K., & Ciccantelli, L.M. (1998). Stroke, spinal cord, and physical disabilities and horticultural therapy practice. In Simson, S.P. & Straus, M.C. (Eds.), Horticulture as therapy: Principles and practice (pp. 71–104). New York: The Haworth Press.Google Scholar