The Forest Experience Program and Improvement of Depression, Anxiety, and Self-concept in Adolescents
2015
Chang, J., Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Kim, N.Y., Korea National Park Service Eco-Learning Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Lee, S.H., Korea National Park Service Eco-Learning Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea | Kim, B., Inje University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
Aim of this study was to investigate the influence of forest experience program on depression, anxiety, and self concept in adolescents living in urban area. A total of 47 adolescents living in Seoul, South Korea were recruited for the study and participated in a series of forest experience programs that the Korea National Park Service had developed. Before and after applying the program, their depression, anxiety, and self concept were evaluated using Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Revised Child Manifest Anxiety Scale (RCMAS), and Offer Self Image Questionnaire-Revised (OSIQ). The outcome measures were analyzed using paired-t tests. CDI score was significantly reduced after the program (before:12.41 + - 8.34, after:8.65 + - 9.48). Excluding 16 participants whose scores of Lie Scale in the RCMAS were more than 8 on the analysis, the total RCMAS score showed significant reduction after the program (before:14.87 + - 7.30, after:10.81 + - 7.81). There was no significant difference in the total score of the total self-image scale in the OSIQ. However, the Self-confidence (SC) which was used as subscale of the OSIQ was significantly higher after the program (before:29.94 + - 3.71, after: 38.11 + - 6.45), and the Idealism scale (I) in the OSIQ increased significantly after the program (before:21.03 + - 3.80, after:23.17 + - 3.89). On our analysis, the forest experience program showed considerable positive effects on depression and anxiety in adolescents. This result leads the postulation that the program might be helpful for adolescents to adapt to their surrounding experiences and to achieve improvement in interpersonal relationship.
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