The Effects of Making Horcitultural Products and Selling Activities on Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Mental Disabilities

Seol, Ga Ae; Yun, Suk Young; Choi, Byung Jin

doi:2019.22.3.279

J. People Plants Environ > Volume 22(3); 2019 > Article

Research Article

Journal of People, Plants, and Environment 2019;22(3):279-287.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.11628/ksppe.2019.22.3.279 Published online June 30, 2019.

The Effects of Making Horcitultural Products and Selling Activities on Vocational Rehabilitation of Persons with Mental Disabilities

Ga Ae Seol

, Suk Young Yun

, Byung Jin Choi

Department of Horticulture, Daegu Catholic University, Gyeongsan 38430, Korea

Correspondence: Suk Young Yun,
Email: yunesy@hanmail.net

Received: 10 April 2019 • Revised: 18 April 2019 • Accepted: 3 June 2019

Abstract

This study carried out a horticultural program for people with mental disabilities to determine suitability of the horticultural activity program and to actually apply to vocational rehabilitation. The program was carried out in 16 sessions from April 12 to June 7, 2018 with nine people with a strong will to participate in vocational rehabilitation at a health center for persons with mental disabilities. The tools used were the Horticultural Activity Performance Assessment (psychological behavior) and Purdue Pegboard Test that examines functions of hands and arms. The subjects sold the products they made during class time and obtained the profits. After the program, the scores increased with a significant difference (p = .000) in the psychological behavior area of the Horticultural Activity Performance Assessment. Hand and arm movement also showed continuous improvement along the program with a significant difference (p = .000), as well as finger dexterity also with a significant difference (p = .018). The net profit was 314,000 KRW (subtracting cost of goods 314,000 KRW from total sales 628,000 KRW). The profit was shared equally among the nine subjects, each receiving 34,900 KRW. Therefore this study proved horticultural activity class is suitable for vocational rehabilitation of people with mental disabilities proved by the positive effects. We also expect that the subjects will be able to make more profits if they learn more skills, since they are interested the process of making such profits.

KeyWords: finger dexterity, income, profit, psychological behavior