Psychological Healing: a Theoretical Exploration of the Effects of Horticultural Therapy on College Students’ Subjective Well-Being

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine how horticultural therapy affects the subjective well-being of college students. Through
theoretical analysis and literature review, the study focused on the role of horticultural therapy in mental health promotion, emotion regulation, self-efficacy enhancement, and creativity and cognitive function enhancement. It was found that horticultural therapy can significantly
improve the mental health of university students, especially in stress management and emotional stability. Participation in horticultural activities helped to increase students’ life satisfaction, reduce negative emotions, and enhance their self-efficacy and sense of achievement. In
addition, horticultural activities have been found to promote creative thinking and cognitive development. Nonetheless, there are challenges
to implementing horticultural therapy, including resource and space constraints, and inconsistent participation. This study proposes that integrating horticultural therapy in a university setting requires a combination of resource allocation, curriculum design, and interdisciplinary
collaboration. In summary, horticultural therapy demonstrates the potential to be an effective tool for enhancing the subjective well-being of
university students, but its successful implementation requires further strategic planning and research.