Application Strategies of Horticultural Therapy in Psychological Care for the Elderly Guided by Environmental Psychology

Abstract

In the process of population aging in China, mental health issues among the elderly have become increasingly prominent. Traditional psychological care methods have certain limitations, while horticultural therapy demonstrates unique advantages due to its practicality, low threshold, and emotional connectivity. Guided by environmental psychology, this study analyzes the core elements through which horticultural therapy influences the mental health of the elderly (plant selection, activity design, spatial construction, and interaction patterns), and proposes application strategies in community, elderly care institutions, and home settings. The study finds that theories in environmental psychology, such as the biophilia hypothesis and environmental stress theory, provide theoretical support for horticultural therapy. The synergistic effect of the four elements-plant, activity, space, and interaction-can effectively improve the psychological state of the elderly.Practical experience across different scenarios demonstrates that the "embedded" network in communities, the "tiered adaptation" model in elderly care institutions, and the "intergenerational integration" approach in families can significantly enhance the participation and psychological comfort of the elderly, providing actionable pathways for psychological care for older adults. This study, through the integration of theory and practice, offers a reference for promoting the standardized application of horticultural therapy in the field of psychological care for the elderly, contributing to addressing the mental health challenges posed by population aging.