“Doing” gardening and “being” at the allotment site: exploring the benefits of allotment gardening for stress reduction and healthy aging

Hawkins, Jemma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1998-9547, Mercer, Jenny, Thirlaway, Kathryn and Clayton, Deborah 2013. “Doing” gardening and “being” at the allotment site: exploring the benefits of allotment gardening for stress reduction and healthy aging. Ecopsychology 5 (2) , pp. 110-125. 10.1089/eco.2012.0084

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the benefits to health and well-being of allotment gardening (in Wales, UK) in a community-dwelling older adult sample, with a particular emphasis on stress recovery. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore allotment gardener participants' personal beliefs and ideas of the benefits of their allotment gardening activity. The transcribed interviews were examined using thematic analysis. It was assumed that through the discussion of positive aspects of allotment gardening it would be possible to clarify specific benefits that relate to coping with stress in order to further an understanding of the mechanisms involved. Findings indicate that allotment gardeners appreciate both “doing” gardening activity as well as “being” at the allotment landscape for affording a wide range of benefits to their health and well-being. These benefits are discussed with reference to existing theory and research, including links to stress reduction.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Development and Evaluation of Complex Interventions for Public Health Improvement (DECIPHer) Social Sciences (Includes Criminology and Education)
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BF Psychology G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GE Environmental Sciences G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Additional Information:	This is a copy of an article published in Ecopsychology © 2013 [copyright Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.]; Ecopsychology is available online at: http://online.liebertpub.com.
Publisher:	Mary Ann Liebert
ISSN:	1942-9347
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	02 May 2023 15:23
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/53177

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