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

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