Allotment gardening and other leisure activities for stress reduction and healthy aging

Hawkins, Jemma ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1998-9547, Thirlaway, Kathryn, Backx, Karianne and Clayton, Deborah 2011. Allotment gardening and other leisure activities for stress reduction and healthy aging. Horttechnology 21 (5) , pp. 577-585.

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Abstract

This study explored the potential benefits of allotment gardening for healthy aging, focusing on the opportunities for outdoor physical activity, social support, and contact with nature that allotment gardening provides. Participants included 94 individuals aged between 50 and 88 years who were members of various indoor and outdoor activity groups. The participants completed physiological measures and psychometric scales of self-rated health, perceived stress, physical activity level, and perceived social support. A significant difference in perceived stress levels was observed between the activity groups. Allotment gardeners reported significantly less perceived stress than participants of indoor exercise classes (P < 0.05). As there were no significant differences in reported levels of social support and physical activity, explanations for the allotment gardeners' lower stress levels focus on the potential contribution of engagement with nature and psychological restoration. These findings represent a step toward understanding the benefits of allotment gardening activity as a health-promoting behavior in later life.

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 H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HA Statistics R Medicine > RA Public aspects of medicine > RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine
Uncontrolled Keywords:	natural environment; exercise; attention restoration theory; community gardening
Publisher:	American Society for Horticultural Science
ISSN:	1063-0198
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	30 March 2016
Last Modified:	04 May 2023 22:05
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/53264

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