Effect of horticultural therapy on the changes of self-esteem and sociality of individuals with chronic schizophrenia

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of HT activities on the self-esteem and sociality of individuals with chronic schizophrenia in a social welfare center. For this study, 50 patients with comparable levels of symptoms were selected as participants by the hospital psychiatrist. These individuals were divided into two groups in which 25 patients participated in the HT program as the activity group, while the other 25 patients were a control group without any structured activities. The activity group attended a one-hour HT program twice a week for 5 months. For evaluation, various scales associated with self-esteem, relationship change, sociality, and a symptom checklist-90 revision (SCL-90R) were applied. A checklist for HT activities was also used to evaluate the horticultural performance of participants. Measurements were conducted at 3 times periods: before intervention, at the mid point, and immediately after the 5 month HT programs. According to the results, self-esteem and relationship change were not altered meaningfully in the control group whereas those characteristics were improved significantly in the activity group. On the social behavior scale, the degree of non-verbal and substance of conversation were significantly improved in the activity group. According to the SCL-90R test, the degree of interpersonal sensitivity, depression, and anxiety took a significant favorable turn in the activity group. Finally, the participation, self-concept, and identity of patients among the items of HT activities' evaluation were significantly improved after HT programs. Therefore, it could be concluded that HT programs were very effective as one of the alternative treatments to improve the psychological, emotional, and social problems of chronic schizophrenia patients.