Abstract
Background: The burden of mental illness remains a public health problem that continues to grow. Research into the benefits of community gardening and urban farming (CG/UF) primarily focuses on physical health benefits, but there is less understood about the mental health benefits among racial/ethnic minorities, especially among those who tend to experience longer and more severe cases of mental illness. Examining the participants from Everett Community Growers (ECG), a local non-profit, this study aims to explore the mental health impacts of CG/UF among racially/ethnically diverse residents, identify the mechanisms involved, and finally to provide ECG feedback on ways to improve their programming.
Materials & Methods: Nineteen participants completed an online questionnaire assessing the quantitative mental health impacts of CG/UF, and seven interview participants were recruited from the survey in order to understand the pathways to positive mental health. Exact logistic regression models were used to determine whether the length of ECG participation and frequency of garden/farm visits were associated with the presence of anxiety and depressive symptoms. Interview data were analyzed using thematic analysis based on grounded theory.
Results: For each additional year a grower participated with ECG, there was a 33% higher odds of anxiety/depression symptoms after adjusting for race, gender, and income, (OR = 1.33, 95% CI [0.88, 3.24] p = 0.19) compared to growers that participated fewer years. There was an 11% higher odds of anxiety/depression symptoms based on the frequency of garden/farm visits after adjusting for covariates (OR = 1.12, 95% CI [0.46, 2.99], p = 0.93. From our qualitative interviews, CG/UF appears to contribute to an overall positive impact on mental health with specific themes focused on time spent outdoors, social interactions, and positive emotions from the process of gardening. Feedback from ECG participants indicated a desire for more social gatherings and learning opportunities (e.g., gardening and cooking workshops).
Summary and Significance: Based on qualitative interviews, CG/UF may serve as a culturally relevant mental health promotion method for racially/ethnically diverse populations. Furthermore, other urban agriculture programs can consider tailoring their programming to best support their growers and allow opportunities for social interactions to reap the mental health benefits. Findings highlight the need for establishing additional zoning regulations for urban agriculture to expand the benefits of CG/UF programs.