Quality of experience during horticultural activities: an experience sampling pilot study among older adults living in a nursing home

• Published in: Geriatric nursing (New York) Vol. 39; no. 4; pp. 457 - 464
• Main Authors: Bassi, Marta, Rassiga, Cecilia, Fumagalli, Natalia, Senes, Giulio
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2018
• Subjects: Aged, 80 and over; Experience sampling method; Female; Horticultural Therapy - methods; Horticultural Therapy - psychology; Horticulture; Humans; Male; Nursing; Nursing Homes; Older adults; Psychological well-being; Quality of experience; Quality of Life; Self Report; Surveys and Questionnaires; Horticulture; Experience sampling method; Quality of experience; Psychological well-being; Older adults
• ISSN: 0197-4572; 1528-3984
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2018.01.002

Horticulture was shown to represent a well-being source for older adults, encompassing the physical, mental and social domains. Aim of this pilot study was to contribute to extant literature through the investigation of the quality of experience associated with horticultural versus occupational activities. A group of 11 older residents of a nursing home were involved in a crossover study with a baseline measure. Participants attended weekly horticultural and occupational sessions for two six-week cycles. Experience Sampling Method was administered before the program and after each session, to assess participants' levels of happiness, concentration, sociability, involvement, challenges and stakes, and self-satisfaction. Altogether, 332 self-report questionnaires were collected. Findings showed that participants' levels of the cognitive and motivational variables increased during both activities, but horticulture was also perceived as providing higher challenges and stakes, and improving self-satisfaction. Results can have practical implications for well-being promotion among older adults through meaningful activity engagement.