Care Farming Experiences of Individuals with Schizophrenia: A Focused Ethnography in Korea

Care farming can improve the well-being of patients with mental illnesses. While interest in care farms is increasing in Korea, the focus remains on the business aspect. Systematic applications that consider the characteristics of patients with mental illnesses are scarce. Therefore, this qualitative study applied focused ethnography to explore the experiences of individuals with schizophrenia engaged in a care farming program in Korea. Focus group interviews with six program participants with schizophrenia and in-depth individual interviews with three on-site staff were conducted. Using content analysis, three categories of participants’ experiences were identified. The first category, “new nature-based approach,” had “different from existing rehabilitation programs” and “harmonizing with nature” as sub-categories. The second category, “therapeutic elements of care farming,” had “autonomous participation” and “customized operation” as sub-categories. The final category, “positive effects of care farming,” had “manifestation of various positive emotions” and “social adaptation through small growth changes in various aspects” as sub-categories. The findings provide key information for the development of novel and tailored approaches in Korea, where effective rehabilitation programs to support persons with mental disorders or disabilities are inadequate.