Abstract
This study aimed to examine the psychological effects of a campus forest therapy program. To evaluate these, pre-test and post-test control group design was employed. A total of 38 participants participated in this study (19 in the campus forest therapy program group, and 19 in control). The Profile of Mood State (POMS) questionnaire and Modified form of the Stress Response Inventory (SRI-MF) were administered to each participant to assess psychological effects. The results of this study revealed that participants in the campus forest therapy program group had significantly positive increases in their mood and stress response compared with those of control group participants. In conclusion, the campus forest therapy program is an efficient strategy to provide psychological health benefits to university students and our study can inform decision-makers on the priority of the campus forest program in societal efforts to promote psychological well-being among university students.
Highlights
Psychological health problems among university students is an important topic
University students face many of the stressors, including academic demands, social challenges, and uncertainty about the future, which are linked to increased levels of stress and psychological health problems [1,2]
No significant changes were found in the control group in Total Mood Disturbance, nor in all six sub-scales of the Profile of Mood States (POMS): “tensionanxiety,” “anger-hostility
Summary
Psychological health problems among university students is an important topic. University students face many of the stressors, including academic demands, social challenges, and uncertainty about the future, which are linked to increased levels of stress and psychological health problems [1,2].Regehr et al [3] reported that more than 50% of college students experience significant levels of anxiety and depression. Psychological health problems among university students is an important topic. University students face many of the stressors, including academic demands, social challenges, and uncertainty about the future, which are linked to increased levels of stress and psychological health problems [1,2]. Regehr et al [3] reported that more than 50% of college students experience significant levels of anxiety and depression. The college students with psychological health problems reported negative academic impact [5,6], relationship dysfunction [7], high rate of drinking [8,9] and substance use [10,11,12], and high incidence of suicide [13]. It is important to cope with psychological problems during the critical university stage. The use of forest and forest therapy is increasingly recognized as an effective intervention for dealing with psychological problems [17,18]
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