Effect of a Plant Distribution and Care Program on First-year University Student Levels of Depression, Stress, Anxiety, and Loneliness and in University Retention

The retention and recruitment of freshmen students transitioning to higher education or transferring to new academic institutions represents considerable challenges for universities nationwide. Research also underscores the mental health challenges encountered by students upon entering higher education, highlighting the necessity for effective resolution strategies. The study used an exploratory quasiexperimental design and a convenience sampling method to assess the impact of a plant distribution and care program on first-year university student retention, as well as levels of depression, stress, anxiety, and loneliness. The study employed a treatment and control group, both of which underwent pretest and post-test assessments using the 21-Item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the UCLA Loneliness Scale, along with the collection of demographic information and prior experiences with mental health issues and plants. The treatment group participated in an 8-week program in which they received houseplants for their dormitories and were given plant care instructions through an online platform. Additionally, students were offered further volunteer opportunities to engage in greenhouse activities with more than 50% of the treatment group opting to participate at least once. Conversely, the control group underwent pretest and post-test assessments at about the same intervals as the treatment group, without any intervention. Retention data were obtained by emailing contacting the university’s student success office to distinguish whether students re-enrolled for the spring semester. The results revealed a significant improvement in mental health among participants in the treatment group over the course of the study, despite post-test data collection coinciding with final semester exams. Conversely, the control group exhibited no discernible differences between pretest and post-test assessments. These findings suggest that houseplants combined with plant care tips teamed with the opportunity for plant-based activities may serve as a viable means to mitigate stress, depression, anxiety, and loneliness among incoming university students. Additionally, the retention comparison indicated that all participants in the control group and all but one in the treatment group registered for courses in the upcoming semester, showing no difference in retention rates between the student groups.