Effects of ACT-Based Agro-Healing Programs on Subjective Emotions: A Cross-Age Group Comparison

Background and objective: Rapid changes in modern society have intensified psychological and emotional challenges across all age groups. This study examined the effects of a life cycle-based agro-healing program on children, adults, and older adults. The program incorporated nature-based activities and the theoretical principles of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), addressing age-specific issues: school bullying in children, job burnout in adults, and emotional isolation in older adults. The objective was to assess changes in emotional expression and psychological well-being through engagement with nature.Methods: This study was conducted with 30 children, 21 adults, and 20 older adult participants. Over the course of eight weeks, they engaged in weekly 90-minute sessions tailored to their age groups. The activities, which were designed to align with the six core processes of ACT, ranged from seed planting to herb garden creation. Emotional expression was assessed through open-ended responses, which were analyzed using DEUS, a Korean text analysis system, to identify linguistic and emotional changes.Results: Significant emotional changes were observed across all groups. Children exhibited simpler, but more stable, emotional language, indicating improved emotional regulation. Adults used more nuanced and articulate expressions, suggesting enhanced emotional awareness. Older adults displayed more structured and contextually rich, emotional expressions. Statistical analysis confirmed significant differences in emotional expression before and after the program across all age groups (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The horticulture program, grounded in ACT and nature-based interaction, was found to effectively promote emotional stability and psychological flexibility among children, adults, and older adults. The findings support the potential of agro-healing as a meaningful intervention for enhancing emotional resilience and overall well-being across diverse age groups, offering an alternative approach to addressing mental health needs in contemporary society.