This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a horticultural therapy program using a strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy model on the self-esteem and self-efficacy of adolescents who have difficulty adjusting to school.
The subject...
This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a horticultural therapy program using a strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy model on the self-esteem and self-efficacy of adolescents who have difficulty adjusting to school.
The subjects of the study were 20 second-year high school students (10 in the control group and 10 in the experimental group). The program was conducted for a total of 10 sessions, 2 hours (120 minutes) once a week, from March 15 to May 31, 2024, at the “Happy Classroom” of U High School in Ulsan Metropolitan City. The horticultural therapy program was developed based on the five steps (search for strengths, construct, apply, practice, and repetition) of the strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy model.
In a pre- and post-test mean difference test, self-esteem significantly decreased in the control group (p=.011), while self-efficacy remained unchanged (p=.317). In contrast, self-esteem significantly increased in the experimental group from 30.80 to 36.60 (p=.005), and self-efficacy significantly increased from 17.70 to 22.00 (p=.005). After the program, between-group comparisons at posttest showed significant differences in both self-esteem (p<.001) and self-efficacy (p<.001).
Horticultural therapy can be effective in improving the self-esteem and self-efficacy of adolescents who struggle with school adjustment. In particular, the strengths-based cognitive behavioral therapy model suggests a valuable intervention technique for promoting positive emotional development in adolescents.