The Effect of Farm Work on Self-Esteem in College Students

Author

May ConleyFollow

Graduation Year

2014

Graduation Month

December

Document Type

Thesis - Campus Access Only

Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts

School or Department

Psychology

Faculty Mentor Department

Psychology

Faculty Mentor

Dr. Cameo Stanick

Keywords

self-esteem, farming, agriculture, young adult(s), college students

Subject Categories

Psychology

Abstract

This study investigated the effect of farm work on self-esteem in college students. Fifty participants were selected from the University of Montana’s Psychology 100 and Environmental Studies PEAS (Program in Ecological Agriculture and Society) classes. The Environmental Studies participants are the experimental, gardening group, and the Psychology 100 participants are the non-gardening control group. Self-esteem was measured using the Rosenberg Global Self-Esteem Scale during after students have completed the Environmental Studies class or during Psychology 100. It was hypothesized that self-esteem scores would be greater in the gardening group. However, a significant effect was not found and both groups scored within the normal range. Though a significant was not found, this study adds to the body of research on farm work and mental health.

Honors College Research Project

1

Recommended Citation

Conley, May, "The Effect of Farm Work on Self-Esteem in College Students" (2014). Undergraduate Theses, Professional Papers, and Capstone Artifacts. 17.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/utpp/17