1Associate Professor, Kerala Agricultural University (on Deputation Director in Charge, Centre for Disability Studies, Poojappura), Trivandrum, Kerala, India
2Professor, Kerala Agricultural University, Vellayani, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
3Project Fellow, Centre for Disability Studies, Poojappura, Trivandrum, Kerala, India
Online published on 28 September, 2015.
the purpose of the study was to determine the effects of a horticulture therapy programme on the self-concept of children with physical disabilities.
36 adolescents (15 girls and 21 boys) with locomotor and hearing impairments in the age group of 12–18 years old from 2 rehabilitation centres participated in the study.
The horticulture therapy programme included goal specific activities, four 2-hour interactive sessions for 30 minutes every day for 20 days over the course of 9 weeks. Pre and post test horticulture therapy sessions were conducted using standardised self concept rating scales.
The data were statistically analysed using paired sample ‘t’ test, which was done by a bio-statician with the help of statistical software.
The participants showed significant improvement in self-concept over the period of the programme.
The results indicate that a basic horticulture activity such simple as learning how to maintain a plant and taking individual responsibility of one can have a positive impact upon children's self-concept.
The paper concludes with a suggestion that horticulture therapy could be implemented in the routine rehabilitation programme for children with physical disabilities to improve their self-concept
horticulture therapy, children with physical disability, Self-concept
