Effects of an Agro-Healing Horticultural Intervention on Stress, Self-Esteem, and PANSS Scores in Inpatients with Schizophrenia: A Quasi-Experimental Study

<b>Background:</b> Developing and implementing diverse interventions is imperative for addressing schizophrenia in the context of deinstitutionalization policies. This study evaluates the effectiveness of an agro-healing horticultural therapy as a psychosocial rehabilitation program for inpatients with schizophrenia. <b>Methods:</b> This quasi-experimental study utilizes a non-equivalent control group pre-post design to assess the efficacy of a therapeutic horticulture program for patients diagnosed with schizophrenia. <b>Results:</b> This study's findings supported the initial hypothesis, as the experimental group exhibited a statistically significant reduction in perceived stress, with post-test scores differing significantly between groups (<i>Z</i> = -2.11, <i>p</i> = 0.035). Hypothesis 2, which examined self-esteem, was rejected because no statistically significant differences were found between groups (<i>Z</i> = -0.57, <i>p</i> = 0.566). Hypothesis 3 was supported, as the experimental group's Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) scores decreased following treatment, with significant post-treatment differences between groups (<i>Z</i> = -3.43, <i>p</i> < 0. 001). <b>Conclusions:</b> The agro-healing horticultural therapy program in this study effectively reduced stress and PANSS scores among inpatients with schizophrenia. Combining this intervention with medication may enhance rehabilitation outcomes and quality of life for patients afflicted with schizophrenia.