The Effect of Health Literacy Level on Quality of Life in Individuals Presenting to the Community Health Center

Aim: This research aims to analyze the effects of horticultural therapy on anxiety and depression levels in young individuals. Material & Method: The research was conducted in March-December 2022 at X International Center of Child and Youth Studies in XX, XY, with a quasi-experimental design involving a pretest, a posttest, and a control group. The research was completed with a total of 300 young individuals who applied to the youth center (experimental =150, control=150). Findings: Following horticulturaltherapy, the depression levels of the participants in the experimental group (8.51±8.80) were lower than the levels of those in the control group (20.59±17.22), and likewise, the anxiety levels of the participants in in the experimental group (12.15±11.25) were lower compared to those of in the control group (21.53±18.27). After the horticultural therapy, statistically significant intra-group differences were identified between the pretest and posttest depression levels of young individuals in the experimental and also between their pretest and posttest anxiety levels (p<0.05). Conclusion: Horticultural therapy was discerned to be successful in lowering the depression and anxiety levels of young individuals. In this respect, it is recommended that horticultural therapy be used as an effective intervention against anxiety and depression. Impact Statement: This research will impact people in the community, healthcare professionals, nurses, nursing students and researchers. Relevance to clinical practic: To further improve the use of the existing or planned gardens, an educational programme for staff that also includes skill training is recommended. Patient or Public Contribution: Horticultural therapy can provide a place of support and sociability for individuals. Natural settings in urban areas have a significant function in the attainment of a healthy community. Therefore, it is gradually more acknowledged that sustained interaction with the hortıcultural therapy may improve health and can be taken on as a type of protective medicine.