Cardiff University | Prifysgol Caerdydd ORCA
Online Research @ Cardiff 
WelshClear Cookie - decide language by browser settings

“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

[thumbnail of Ecopsychology Paper - JHawkins et al. June 2013.pdf]
Preview
PDF - Published Version
Download (286kB) | Preview

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

Citation Data

Cited 53 times in Scopus. View in Scopus. Powered By Scopus® Data

Actions (repository staff only)

Edit Item Edit Item

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

View more statistics