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The Psychological Effects of a Campus Forest Therapy Program

Author

Listed:
  • Jin Gun Kim

    (Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)

  • Tae Gyu Khil

    (Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)

  • Youngsuwn Lim

    (Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)

  • Kyungja Park

    (Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)

  • Minja Shin

    (Department of Forest Therapy, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)

  • Won Sop Shin

    (Department of Forest Sciences, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju 28644, Korea)

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Jin Gun Kim & Tae Gyu Khil & Youngsuwn Lim & Kyungja Park & Minja Shin & Won Sop Shin, 2020. "The Psychological Effects of a Campus Forest Therapy Program," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:10:p:3409-:d:357796
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kyung-Sook Bang & Insook Lee & Sungjae Kim & Chun Soo Lim & Hee-Kyung Joh & Bum-Jin Park & Min Kyung Song, 2017. "The Effects of a Campus Forest-Walking Program on Undergraduate and Graduate Students’ Physical and Psychological Health," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-13, July.
    2. Hiroko Ochiai & Harumi Ikei & Chorong Song & Maiko Kobayashi & Ako Takamatsu & Takashi Miura & Takahide Kagawa & Qing Li & Shigeyoshi Kumeda & Michiko Imai & Yoshifumi Miyazaki, 2015. "Physiological and Psychological Effects of Forest Therapy on Middle-Aged Males with High-Normal Blood Pressure," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-11, February.
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Reo J. F. Jones & Chloé O. R. Littzen, 2022. "An Analysis of Theoretical Perspectives in Research on Nature-Based Interventions and Pain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-15, October.
    2. Adriano Bressane & Líliam César de Castro Medeiros & Yasmim Cardoso Damasceno Lima, 2025. "Five-Step Forest Bathing Protocol as a Nature-Based Solution for Student Wellbeing in Higher Education: A Research Brief on Insights and Lessons from a Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 22(4), pages 1-17, April.
    3. Jiyune Yi & Seul Gee Kim & Taegyu Khil & Minja Shin & Jin-Hee You & Sookja Jeon & Gue Hong Park & Ah Young Jeong & Youngsuwn Lim & Kahye Kim & Jingun Kim & Byunghoon Kang & Jueun Lee & Jeong Hwan Park, 2021. "Psycho-Electrophysiological Benefits of Forest Therapies Focused on Qigong and Walking with Elderly Individuals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(6), pages 1-16, March.
    4. Mi-Jung Kang & Hyun-Sun Kim & Ji-Yeon Kim, 2022. "Effects of Forest-Based Interventions on Mental Health: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-13, April.
    5. Gianluca Grilli & Sandro Sacchelli, 2020. "Health Benefits Derived from Forest: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.

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