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KMID : 1044620220550050492
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Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2022 Volume.55 No. 5 p.492 ~ p.497
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Effects of Forest Therapy on Psychological Improvement in Middle-aged Women in Korea
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Park Bum-Jin
Shin Won-Sop
Shin Chang-Seob
Yeon Poung-Sik
Chung Chung-Yeub
Lee Si-Hyung
Kim Dong-Jun
Kim Youn-Hee
Park Chang-Eun
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Abstract
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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.
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KEYWORD
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Forest therapy, Middle-aged women, Stress, Mood state, Psychological improvement
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