Gardening as a mental health intervention: a review

Pages214-225
DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1108/MHRJ-02-2013-0007
Date29 November 2013
Published date29 November 2013
AuthorJane Clatworthy,Joe Hinds,Paul M. Camic
Subject MatterHealth & social care,Mental health
Gardening as a mental health intervention:
a review
Jane Clatworthy, Joe Hinds and Paul M. Camic
Dr Jane Clatworthy is a Trainee
Clinical Psychologist, based at
Canterbury Christ Church
University, Kent, UK.
Dr Joe Hinds is a Senior
Lecturer in Psychology, based
at Canterbury Christ Church
University, Kent, UK.
Paul M. Camic is a Professor of
Psychology and Public Health,
based at Canterbury Christ
Church University, Kent, UK.
Abstract
Purpose – The number of gardening-based mental health interventions is increasing, yet when the literature
was last reviewed in 2003, limited evidence of their effectiveness was identified. The purpose of this paper is
to evaluate the current evidence-base for gardening-based mental health interventions and projects
through examining their reported benefits and the quality of research in this field.
Design/methodology/approach – Studies evaluating the benefits of gardening-based interventions for
adults experiencing mental health difficulties were identified through an electronic database search.
Information on the content and theoretical foundations of the interventions, the identified benefits of the
interventions and the study methodology was extracted and synthesised.
Findings – Ten papers published since 2003 met the inclusion criteria. All reported positive effects of
gardening as a mental health intervention for service users, including reduced symptoms of depression and
anxiety.Participants described a range of benefits across emotional, social, vocational, physical and spiritual
domains. Overall the research was of a considerably higher quality than that reviewed in 2003, providing
more convincing evidence in support of gardening-based interventions. However, none of the studies
employed a randomised-controlled trial design.
Research limitations/implications – There is a need for further high-quality research in this field. It is
important that adequate outcome measures are in place to evaluate existing gardening-basedmental health
interventions/projects effectively.
Originality/value – This paper provides an up-to-date critique of the evidence for gardening-based mental
health interventions, highlighting their potential clinical value.
Keywords Ecotherapy, Gardening, Horticultural therapy, Therapeutic horticulture
Paper type Literature review
Introduction
Gardening has long been considered therapeutic for people experiencing mental health
difficulties, with horticultural activities featuring in the early psychiatric institutions in Europe and the
USA in the 1800s (Davis, 1998; Parr, 2007). In recent years, there has been renewed interest in
gardening as a mental health intervention. A survey of projects registered with Thrive, a charity that
promotes and supports the use of therapeutic horticulture, revealed that the number of UK
horticultural projects for vulnerable people (including those experiencing mental health difficulties)
has increased dramatically from 45 in the mid-1980s to over 900 (Sempik et al., 2005).
Increasing attention on therapeutic gardening reflects a broader current interest in the role of
nature in enhancing health and wellbeing. Over the past five years, several reports have
been published in the UK from different perspectives, each acknowledging the potential
psychological benefits of exposure to natural environments (Mind, 2007; Greenspace Scotland,
2008; Faculty of Public Health, 2010). In their report entitled “Ecotherapy – the green agenda for
mental health”, Mind (2007), a leading mental health charity, stated that “Ecotherapy should be
recognised as a clinically valid treatment for mental distress” (p. 3). This charity has supported
over 130 “green” mental health projects in the UK through the Ecominds funding stream.
PAGE 214
j
MENTAL HEALTH REVIEW JOURNAL
j
VOL. 18 NO. 4 2013, pp. 214-225, CEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1361-9322 DOI 10.1108/MHRJ-02-2013-0007

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT