Psychological and Physiological Health Benefits of a Structured Forest Therapy Program for Children and Adolescents with Mental Health Disorders  

作　　者：Namyun Kil Jin Gun Kim Emily Thornton Amy Jeranek 

机构地区：[1]Department of Recreation Management and Recreational Therapy,University of Wisconsin-La Crosse,La Crosse,54601,USA [2]Korea Forest Therapy Forum Incorporated Association,Cheongju,28644,Korea [3]Hiawatha Valley Education District-SAIL Program,Kellogg,55945,USA

出　　处：《International Journal of Mental Health Promotion》2023年第10期1117-1125,共9页国际心理健康促进杂志（英文）

基　　金：funded by the 2018 Faculty Research Grant and the 2019 College of Science and Health Dean’s Distinguished Fellowship Grant at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse,La Crosse,WI,USA.

摘　　要：Mental health conditions in children and adolescents can be improved by slow mindful nature connection known as forest therapyor bathing.Forest therapy has recently received growing attention as an enabler of relaxation and preventive health care withdemonstrated clinical efficacy.However,it is not well-known that forest therapy also decreases mental health issues amongindividuals with mental health disorders.This study explored the psychological and physiological health benefits of structuredforest therapy programs for children and adolescents with mental health disorders.A one-group pre-test-posttest design wasemployed for our study participants.Twelve participants(aged 9–14 years)engaged in two one-hour guided standard sequenceforest therapy experiences.A Mindful Attention Awareness Scale(MAAS),Connectedness to Nature Scale(CNS),Profile ofMood States(POMS),place meanings(e.g.,functional,emotional,and cognitive attachment to the forest)questionnaire,andphysiological health assessment were administered to the participants.Our results showed that negative mood states weresignificantly reduced and that a positive mood state was significantly improved after the structured forest therapy programs.Also,mindfulness,nature connection,place meanings,and physiological health were significantly boosted after theinterventions.The results demonstrate substantial psychological and physiological health and well-being outcomes ofstructured forest therapy for similar individuals.

关 键 词：Forest therapy mental health disorders MINDFULNESS mood states place meanings physiological health 

分 类 号：R73[医药卫生—肿瘤]