STRESS AND WELL-BEING AMONG PLANT LOVER: A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Taguig City University

College of Psychology

Llander, Jefferson F.

Anounuevo, Shaira

Damalerio, Claire Anne

Rivero, Sophia Mae J.

Talaro, Katrina P.

AUGUST 2021
 CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

INTRODUCTION

Stress is a normal part of life. It includes school-related assignments and deadlines at work.

It also includes deciding what to buy and even managing a busy schedule. Moreover, according to

Hans Selye (1936) . "stress," is defined as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand

for change."

One of the things that could help lessen the stress levels of an individual is to have a hobby

such as planting or gardening. It allows you to collect a variety of plants based on your

preferences, and you can also sell them and make money from them. When planting, people tend

to be happy or have a positive attitude. Stigsdotter, U. A., et.al, (2004) cited that gardening as

being able to reduce stress and improve mood, with a reduction in symptoms of depression and

anxiety.

Meanwhile, well-being is defined as a sensation of health and vigor that develops from your

ideas, emotions, behaviors, and experiences. According to Tchiki Davis, (2019) well-being is

something that almost everyone seeks because it encompasses so many positive aspects, such

as feeling happy, healthy, socially connected, and purposeful. Well-being arises from your ideas,

behaviors, and experiences, over the majority of which you have control. For example, when we

think positively, we tend to feel better emotionally. We tend to have better social well-being when

we pursue meaningful relationships. And when we lose our jobs — or simply despise them — our

workplace well-being suffers.

Thus, this study aims to determine the level of stress of the individuals and as well as their

coping mechanisms such as if planting affect your life when you are taking care, collecting or

buying plants etc. Also, the researches wants to know if planting helps the person to have a better

well-being compare to those who are not. The researchers will be using a comparative study to

differentiate the stress and well-being among plant lovers and non-plant lovers in order to gain

insight into at least one or all of them.

Background of the Study

The researchers chose this topic since planting has become popular throughout the

pandemic. One of the researchers is a plant enthusiast, and she claims that planting helps her to

enhance and lower her stress as well as her well-being; this piques our interest in researching this

topic.

We all know what it is like to be stressed, yet it is difficult to define exactly what stress is.

Stress is defined as an interaction between the situation and the individual. Also, it occurs when

situations are unpredictable or uncontrollable, uncertain, ambiguous or unfamiliar, or when there is

conflict, loss, or performance expectations. According to Habib Yaribeygi et al, (2017) stress is

defined as any intrinsic or external stimulus that causes a biological response. Stress reactions are

the compensating responses to various pressures. Stress can cause a variety of impacts on the

body, ranging from changes in homeostasis to life-threatening effects and death, depending on the

nature, timing, and severity of the applied stimuli. Various pathophysiological consequences of

disease are caused by stress, and persons exposed to stress, such as those who work or live in

stressful circumstances, are more likely to develop many ailments. Many diseases and

pathological states can be triggered or aggravated by stress. Moreover, events such as exams or

work deadlines can also cause stress, as well as ongoing situations such as family obligations, job

insecurity or long commutes.

Meanwhile, when it comes to health and “well-being”, having a positive outlook on life is

essential for good health because our body image is considered to be the central to our mental

and physical well-being. As stated by Seligman, (2011) positive emotion, engagement,

relationships, meaning, and accomplishment is very essential to human being rather than focusing

on happiness alone.

In connection to this, home gardening could also help lessen the stress levels of an

individual according to the study of Sunga et al., (2021). It refers to the manual labor of taking care

of plants. This type of activity can also be an excellent form of exercise which will help you to have
an improved sense of well-being, enhanced relaxation, as well as increased self-confidence and

positivity.

The researchers chose plant lovers as participants because it will be appropriate to prove or

compare whether there is a difference in stress levels and well-being between those who are and

those who are not plant lovers. Past researches about the beneficial factor of plants in humans

have been anecdotal (Kidd and Brascamp 2004). However, Recent research findings and case

studies highlight the positive social and psychical outcomes of active participation in gardening

such as increased self-esteem, improved health, sense of community, accomplishment and pride

(Lewis 1996). According to study of Unruh (2004) which they compare the benefits of plants or

gardening to the people who have cancer and does who were not, the study revealed that

gardening can be a possible coping strategy for stressful life experiences and can be beneficial for

the physical, emotional, social and spiritual well-being. Beneficial effects of allotment gardens have

been attributed to various factors, including enhanced physical activities, reduced levels of stress

and mental fatigue, and a better social and cultural integration (Armstrong 2000).

The researchers will be using a comparative study to differentiate the stress and well-being

among plant lovers and non-plant lovers in order to gain insight into at least one or all of them.

THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

The researchers will be using the Theory of Well-being by Martin Seligman. This theory

states that human motivation is based on a person’s need to avoid anxiety. It compose of five

elements that contribute to the individual well-being, the Positive emotion, Engagement,

Relationship, Meaning and Achievement. These components include eudemonic and hedonic

fundamentals.

 Kern, Waters, Alder, & White (2014) stated that research shown the significantly positive result

towards each of the components of PERMA model in different areas, such as physical health,

vitality, job satisfaction, life satisfaction, and commitment within organizations. In relevance with

our problem, though PERMA model aims to increase the well-being of an individual when
proactively working on it, it is also good in predicting psychological distress (Forgeard et al.,

2011). 

RESEARCH PARADIGM

Stress and Well-being are integral parts of cognitive and behavioral process by which

individuals or groups seek different ways to achieve genuine happiness, and not just being happy

alone. One major conceptualization of this process is the PERMA model developed by Martin

Seligman. The components of PERMA model is depicted in figure 1.

Figure 1.

Research Paradigm

1. Positive Emotion – Refers to about feeling good of a person, that can be directed to

being happy, however, Positive emotion goes beyond that and may even involve

acceptance of the past regardless of how bad it was and anticipating positively what

the future holds, and according to Frederickson (2001) Positive emotion can result or

produce flourishing and are worth cultivating.

2. Engagement – Second on the list is engagement, which refers to the process that

people can engrossed or absorbed into something. This is also a good behavior as is

relating to our intelligence, emotions, and skills. A successful process of levels of

engagement have been defined as a state of flow. Csikszentmihalyi (1990, 1997)

 defines state of flow as a when people are driven to a motivating task, where his/her

concentration are focusing, the awareness of time, positive thoughts, and feeling

may fade or absent during the process of the flow.

3. Relationship – This third aspect of PERMA model, focus on having relationship with

people or it’s environment. People are natural social animals, who seek groups such

as cliques, schools, co-workers and such. As it benefits us to gained less depression

and psychopathology, better physical state and other positive outcomes (Cohen,

2004; Perissinotto et al., 2012).

4. Meaning – This part focus on the meaning or purpose of an individual to achieve

one’s goal or happiness he/she seeking for. It is where our action worthwhile and

valuable; that we are contributing to something bigger than just ourselves. According

to (Baumeister, Vohs, Aaker, & Garbinsky, 2013) people who experience meaningful

lives reportedly having fairly happy and satisfied lives as a whole, although the

meaningful life is not necessarily the happy one.

5. Accomplishment – Lastly, this fifth part of PERMA model refers to when we achieve

something, we feel good and want to do more and become more. If these

accomplishment makes out self-esteem strengthen and our confidence, we feel

worthy. For example, a mother who raises a beautiful, compassionate family might

see her life as extremely successful, whereas her husband may define success as

achieving a promotion at work (Butler & Kern, 2014).

Statement of the problem

This research aims to compare two group of respondents that has more positive emotion than

stress. This research study will use a comparative research design to investigate the concerns

about the differences and similarities between non-plant lover’s and plant lover’s and their stress

and well-being.

Specifically, the researchers would like to answer the following research questions:
 1. Is there any difference between the stress and well-being of plant lover and those who are

not?

2. Does taking care of plants helps reduce the stress levels of the participants?

3. Does taking care of plants help the individual have a healthy well-being?

HYPOTHESIS

Plant lovers experience well-being and less stress than those who are non-plant lovers.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

The aim of this study is to know the difference between the stress and well-being of a plant

lover and NON-plant lover. Thus, the target participant limited to seventy (70) total of participants

who are thirty-five (35) plant lover and thirty-five (35) NON-plant lover who has a difference in ages

ranging young adults (18-21 years old) and late adults (65 above). The researcher will gather the

plant lover respondents who has interest in planting through online platform, while those who are

not, will randomly gather in school, work etc. both of these respondent should be located at Taguig

City. The researcher will use the purposive sampling in this research to establish good

correspondence by choosing that will fit in our research study.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

Through understanding of the well-being and stress of plant lovers, the researchers hope to

contribute to the stress reducing activities brought by COVID-19 pandemic. The significance point

of this study is to compare and analyze the difference of stress and well-being of a plant lover. The

benefit of this study in Taguig City will help to cope with stress and well-being. It will help the future

researchers that has relevant study regarding with stress and well-being brought by being a plant

lover.

DEFINITION OF TERMS

For a better understanding of this study, the following terms are operationally defined.

Ambiguous. Open to or having several possible meanings or interpretations;

Anecdotal. Pertaining to the relationship of figures or to the arrangement of elements in a scene

so as to emphasize the story content of a subject.

Anticipating. To realize beforehand; foretaste or foresee

Comparative. Proceeding by, founded on, or using comparison as a method of study: being,

noting, or pertaining to the intermediate degree of the comparison of adjectives, as better and

more beautiful, the comparative forms of good and beautiful, and of adverbs, as nearer and more

carefully, the comparative forms of near and carefully

Differentiate. To form or mark differently from other such things; distinguish

Honing. The act or process of improving or perfecting a skill, program, idea, etc.

Vigor. Active healthy well-balanced growth especially of plants

Well-being. A good or satisfactory condition of existence; a state characterized by health,

happiness, and prosper

 CHAPTER II
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
Stress

Stress is a normal part of life. Some of the sources of stress include school-related

assignments and deadlines at work; deciding what to buy; and even managing a busy schedule.

Hans Selye, (1936) coined the term "stress," as it is now used, and defined it as the non-specific

response of the body to any demand for change.

As a hobby, gardening or planting allows you to collect a variety of plants based on your

preferences, and you can also sell them and make money from them. When planting, people tend

to be happy or have a positive attitude. Stigsdotter, U. A., et.al, (2004) cited that gardening as

being able to reduce stress and improve mood, with a reduction in symptoms of depression and

anxiety.

A sensation of health and vigor that develops from your ideas, emotions, behaviors, and

experiences is defined as well-being. People are well-adjusted, generally joyful, healthy, socially

connected, and purposeful. It can boost happiness by honing a specific set of talents. Keep in

mind that learning a new talent takes time and effort. Building your well-being, on the other hand,

is well worth it because nothing is more precious than living a fulfilling and meaningful life. When

you achieve something by simply passing to a test or promotion, buying the item that you deserved

because you exert effort or even if the one that you planted is successful and healthy. Recent

research findings and case studies highlight the positive social and psychical outcomes of active

participation in gardening such as increased self-esteem, improved health, sense of community,

accomplishment and pride (Lewis 1996).

This study aims to know the stress rating of plant lovers and non-plant lovers, stress or well-

being affect your life when you are taking care of plants, and how they cope up with stress.

Performing a comparative study, we need to differentiate the stress and well-being among plant

lovers and non-plant lovers in order to gain insight into at least one or all of them. Using

comparative analysis, we can better understand how the subjects are organized and what makes

them different. The researches will use PERMA model, (positive emotion, engagement,

relationships, meaning and accomplishment) to identify the difference or similarities between the
plant lovers and non-plant lovers when it comes to stress and well-being. In order to be sure that

planting has an impact on their stress and well-being, the researchers chose plant lovers as a

participant that is located within Taguig City.

Teens are under more stress today than ever before. Due to varying pressures around

school, work, families, relationships, social media, and the seemingly endless series of transitions

involved in simply being an adolescent, teens today are indeed under more stress than ever

before. Moving, starting a new school, and changes in the makeup of the family including divorce

and blended families can trigger stress for teens (Kathleen Smith, 2018).

Stress is indeed inevitable whether you are in different generations, according to (Amada,

2020) Loneliness and isolation are two very common stressors for aging adults. The loss of a

spouse due to death or divorce is common among older adults. Losing family members, friends, or

pets. Many seniors feel lonely after they lose a family member, friend, or pet. Regardless of

whether the loss was the result of a death, relocation, or conflict, the event can cause seniors to

isolate themselves, increasing their feelings of loneliness.

Well-being

Tchiki Davis, (2019) stated that there are 5 major types of Well-being. First is the Emotional

Well-Being. The ability to practice stress-management and relaxation techniques, be resilient,

boost self-love, and generate the emotions that lead to good feelings. Second, Physical Well-

Being. The ability to improve the functioning of your body through healthy living and good exercise

habits. Third, Social Well-Being. The ability to communicate, develop meaningful relationships with

others, and maintain a support network that helps you overcome loneliness. Fourth, Workplace

Well-Being. The ability to pursue your interests, values, and life purpose in order to gain meaning,

happiness, and enrichment professionally and lastly, Societal Well-Being. The ability to actively

participate in a thriving community, culture, and environment.

According to Amy M.Roberts, et.al, (2017) depression among instructors who work in home

settings has been connected more strongly with adult-centered ideas than in center settings.
These findings provide preliminary evidence of what connects to early childhood depression, which

has implications for improving well-being in different environments.

Wolf and Housley, (2014) suggested interacting with nature, particularly with water, may

raise self-esteem and mood, decrease anger, and promote general well-being and beneficial

emotional and behavioral impacts.

Capaldi et al., (2014) mentioned pro-environmental and subjective well-being are related

positively. Those that are more linked with nature and show eco-conscious conduct likely to

experience more positive vitality and pleasure than those that are less connected to nature.

As stated by Eric J. Vanman, et.al, (2018) before and after the test period, stress and well-

being were evaluated as well as salivary cortisol. In relation to individuals in the Facebook

standard condition, the cortisol level and life satisfaction in the No Facebook condition were lower.

Our results imply that Facebook users can sometimes find enormous amounts of social

information available, and that Facebook holidays can improve this stress – at least in the short

term.

According to study of Anne Holm Jorring, Mads Bolling, et al., (2020) where they

investigated how low and high-achieving Danish pupils experience education outside the

classroom (EOtC) as it relates to their social and academic well-being and come up to the

conclusion of that the EOtC may not have an unambiguously positive influence on pupils’ social

and academic well-being.

Also, talking about academic setting, gardens that can be found there can also influence the

well-being of the students. Pernille Malberg Dyg, Karen Wistoft. (2018) presented their study that

indicates that the school garden program promotes students’ wellbeing through their positive

emotions about being outside in the outdoor environment. Garden activities and their relations with

peers, garden educators, and teachers seemed to positively affect students’ self-esteem. Over and

above the positive social environment, students’ relations with the natural environment seem also

to affect their wellbeing as they develop empathy for animals, insects, and plants. Whether this

influences their wellbeing, interpersonal relations, and planetary care in the long run after the
program is not, however, documented. Not all students thrive in the open, free, and sometimes

chaotic space of the garden. However, the majority of students in the program seem to experience

a sense of wellbeing.

Benefits of being a plant lover

According to the researcher (McQuillian, 2019) that being around plants will help you

concentrate better specially in your home and workplace. The study that the researcher made

shown that tasks performed while under the calming influence of nature are performed better with

greater accuracy, yielding a higher quality result. Moreover, being outside in a natural environment

can improve memory and concentration.

Hall et al. (2019) Presented an evidence that spending time in natural settings helps speed

up recovery from mental fatigue, slow down heart rate, reduce high blood pressure, and lower

anxiety. Researchers also repeatedly report increases in subjects' mood, fewer incidents of

depressive symptoms, as well as increased memory span and decreased symptoms of anxiety

after a walk-in nature, as compared to a walk through an urban environment.

One Korean study of patients diagnosed with moderate to severe depression compared the

effects of cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) performed in a hospital to CBT performed in an

arboretum with a forest-like setting. Researchers also presented evidence that both veterans and

victims of natural disasters who participated in horticultural therapies or nature-based rehabilitation

programs found that both groups were better able to control symptoms of PTSD and developed

more positive states of mind.

According to the researcher (Waring, PhD 2019) the common misconception of the people

with indoor plants is they think that indoor plants can clean indoor air quickly, but it doesn’t. Potted

plants have demonstrated abilities to remove airborne volatile organic compounds (VOC) in small,

sealed chambers over timescales of many hours or days. Claims have subsequently been made

suggesting that potted plants may reduce indoor VOC concentrations.

We are fascinated by nature and this curiosity can help us better cope with life’s challenges.

In fact, one study showed that engaging with a garden distracts us from our worries and stops us
from obsessing about our problems. Over 12 weeks, participants saw an improvement in the

severity of their depression during and immediately after the gardening study, and three months

later, they still reported significant improvements (Croteau, 2019).

Croteau (2019) stated that Japanese researchers discovered that spending 30 minutes in

the woods could not only lower cortisol levels, but could also improve heart rates and blood

pressure. Similarly, another study showed that after 30 minutes of gardening, participants’ cortisol

levels dropped and their moods were boosted by the activity.

According to the researcher (Perry, 2019) at the University of Vermont Extension

Department of Plant and Soil Science described some of the traits associated with gardens

designed for serenity. As he explained, stress-reducing gardens “are often similar to any other

woodland or flower garden, only emphasizing certain design principles and colours.”
 CHAPTER III
METHODS AND PROCEDURE

RESEARCH METHOD

Quantitative investigation can be defined as the collection of statistical, mathematical, or

computational approaches, as a systematic study of the phenomena. The methods of quantitative

research are online surveys, online polls, and the paper questionnaires.

This method was used to this study and the researchers choose a conducting survey it is a

traditionally been conducted either on a face-to-face basis or by telephone calls, but progress has

also been achieved using online means such as e-mail or social media. But the researchers will

choose a via online survey and it is rely to the participants perspectives.

SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE

The researchers will be using separate sampling, as this study will focus on the two different

participants. Stratified random sampling for the thirty-five non-plant lovers because they will gather

randomly, through two strata, specifically, they should possess the following criteria: 1.) Should at

least randomly contain young-adults ages between eighteen to twenty-one years old (18-21 years

old); 2.) Must randomly contain at least late adults ages sixty-five and up (65 years old and above);

3.) Should ensure that these people do not have any history of caring for plants. While, the other

35 participants will be gathered through the use of Purposive non -probability, as this respondent

have specified hobby that the researchers need. The following participant should possess the

following criteria: 1.) one must be a plant-lover after pandemic happen and still continuing it; 2.)

one must become a plant-lover during pandemic for almost 3-6 months; 3.) Should also contain at

least young adults (18-21 years old) and late adults (65 years old and above) as to at least match

the criteria of non-plant lovers.

The total seventy participants will both gather inside online platforms (Facebook, Twitter,

Instagram) and outside of it (Organizations and Clubs). To prevent both parties to go outside as

per the accordance to the health protocols.

With the criteria above, the researchers will be able to ensure the comparison of both participants

regarding with their stress and well-being.

Research Instrument

The researchers will conduct a via online survey to know the difference and similarities among

the plant lover and non-plant lover. Researchers will use the PERMA model survey developed by

Martin Seligman which measures the five (5) pillars of well-being the positive emotions along with

negative emotions and health. If the participants among the plant lovers and non-plant lovers have

a high result of the survey it is, consider as stress. there is a one factor of PERMA model that has

negative emotions. And this type of questions was validated by the experts. The PERMA-Profiler

Measure is depicted in figure 2:

|
Source: Butler, J., & Kern, M. L. (2016). The PERMA-Profiler: A brief multidimensional measure of flourishing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(3), 1-48. doi:10.5502/ijw.v6i3.1

Figure 2. The PERMA-Profiler Measure

ETHICAL CONSIDERATION

Participant Informed Consent, participants should agree on the said agreement before

conducting the survey. Part of our responsibility to keep their responses and the data we collected
confidential. Secondly, the integrity in the research process. As part of finding a solution to the

problem, it is important to understand the basic ethical principles that underlie our research. By

doing so, we are able to move forward on the next steps by being honest about the results and

conducting them properly. The researcher will always share the data and the results to the

participants and to others that will be used for this research.

DATA GATHERING

The researchers will use questionnaire that is base on The PERMA-Model Profiler Measure

(see fig. 2) and which will serve as survey method by the use of google form. The study will

conduct to seventy (70) subjects. The subjects will be divided by two (2) categories thirty-five (35)

plant lovers and thirty-five (35) non-plant lovers which will give us a total of seventy (70) subjects,

both group of subjects should be compose of young adults (18-21 years old) and late adults (65

above). We will be posting our google form in different plant lover groups in different online

platform (Facebook, Instagram etc.) here in Taguig City.

After collecting all the data, the researchers will gather the information by the use of the

subject’s test results and the researchers will interpret the subjects score they got then we will see

the comparison between the well-being and stress of people who plant and those who don’t plant.

DATA ANALYSIS

Once the results of the survey questionnaires are collected, the researcher will utilize

Cross-tabulation to divide the data of two groups (Plant lover and Non-Plant lover). It is a method

for investigating relationships or differences within a raw score that are not immediately evident.

Second, we will interpret the individual scores provided by the PERMA-Profiler Measure Scoring

as follows:

Scoring: Scores are calculated as the average of the items comprising each factor:

Positive Emotion: P = mean (P1,P2,P3)

Engagement: E = mean (E1,E2,E3)

Relationships: R = mean (R1,R2,R3)

Meaning M = mean (M1,M2,M3)

Accomplishment A = mean (A1,A2,A3)

Overall Well-being PERMA= mean (P1,P2,P3,E1,E2,E3, R1,R2,R3, M1,M2,M3, A1,A2,A3,hap)

Negative Emotion: N = mean(N1,N2,N3) Health = H = mean(H1,H2,H3) Loneliness Lon (single

item)

Sample Cross-Tabulation: Plant Lover and Non-Plant Lover

THE PERMA-MODEL PROFILER MEASURE

Age P E R M A N H

Youn

Adult
Late

Adult

Sample Scoring Presentation

In reporting information back to people, we have used a bar graph, providing a person’s

PERMA Profile:

Source: Butler, J., & Kern, M. L. (2016). The PERMA-Profiler: A brief multidimensional measure of flourishing. International Journal of Wellbeing, 6(3), 1-48. doi:10.5502/ijw.v6i3.1

After collecting the interpreted data of individuals, the researchers will collect the entire

group's data and analyze it using Chi-Square. It is a statistical test that is used to compare
observed results with expected results. The goal of this test is to identify whether a difference

between observed and predicted data is due to chance or to a relationship between the variables

under consideration.