School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, 12 Wakefield Street (Swinburne Place West), Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
Centre of Urban Transitions, Swinburne University of Technology, Level 1 EW Building, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122, Australia.
Health Promot Int. 2023 Apr 1;38(2). doi: 10.1093/heapro/daad010.
Gardening has the potential to enhance health and well-being, through increased physical activity and social connectedness. However, while much is known about the benefits of garden activities, less is known about the potential health implications of more passive forms of engagement with gardens, for example, viewing gardens. In addition, much garden research is undertaken in urban settings, leaving little known about potential health impacts for rural populations. The present study explored these research gaps by gaining an understanding of the experiences and perspectives of members of a gardening appreciation group in rural Australia: The Colac Horticultural and Marvellous Property Appreciation Society (CHAMPAS). A phenomenological, qualitative methodology was applied, using semi-structured interviews for data collection. Eleven participants were selected using purposive and snowball sampling and the data were analysed by applying interpretive, reflexive thematic analysis. Four main themes and supporting sub-themes were generated. The four main themes were: (i) motivations for maintaining participation in CHAMPAS; (ii) social connections and friendships, formed from membership; (iii) sense of community and structure of CHAMPAS and (iv) the perceived health and well-being benefits of continued involvement in this group. This study found that members perceived health and well-being benefits stemmed from CHAMPAS facilitation of social connectedness, function as a community group and a way for members to share a love for home gardening. This study provides insights into the perceived and potential health-promoting effects of garden appreciation groups for rural populations.
园艺具有增进健康和幸福感的潜力，通过增加身体活动和社交联系。然而，尽管人们对园艺活动的益处了解很多，但对于更被动地参与园艺（例如观赏花园）可能对健康产生的影响知之甚少。此外，许多园艺研究都是在城市环境中进行的，对于农村人口可能产生的健康影响知之甚少。本研究通过了解澳大利亚农村一个园艺欣赏小组——科勒农业和奇妙物业欣赏协会（CHAMPAS）成员的经验和观点，探讨了这些研究空白。采用现象学、定性方法，使用半结构化访谈进行数据收集。通过目的抽样和滚雪球抽样选择了 11 名参与者，通过应用解释性、反思性主题分析对数据进行分析。生成了四个主要主题和支持性子主题。四个主要主题是：（i）维持参与 CHAMPAS 的动机；（ii）成员关系形成的社交联系和友谊；（iii）社区感和 CHAMPAS 的结构；（iv）持续参与该团体对健康和幸福感的认知益处。这项研究发现，成员们认为健康和幸福感的益处源自 CHAMPAS 促进社交联系、作为社区团体的功能以及成员分享对家庭园艺的热爱的方式。这项研究为农村人口的园艺欣赏团体的感知和潜在的促进健康的效果提供了见解。
