*연구과제명: 학교숲 기반 액트매트릭스 새관찰 프로그램의 심리적 효과
-연구 기관: KAIST Center for Contemplative Science; Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (연구팀)
-저자: 김윤희
Objectives: To examine psychological effects of an ACT Matrix-based Birdwatching Program conducted in a school forest on graduate students’ mindfulness, mood states, and connectedness to nature. Methods: Seven graduate students from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technol ogy (KAIST) participated in a 180-minute program integrating the ACT Matrix and birdwatch ing held in a school forest. Psychological changes were measured pre- and post-intervention using validated self-report instruments, including the Korean Version of the Profile of Mood States-Brief (K-POMS), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (K-MMAS), and the Connect edness to Nature Scale (K-CNS). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05).
Results: Participants showed a significant increase in mindfulness and nature connectedness with significant decreases of tension, anxiety, and depression. These findings suggest that com bining nature-based experiences such as birdwatching with the ACT Matrix can support psy chological well-being of graduate students.
Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that a nature-based mindfulness intervention incor porating the ACT Matrix and birdwatching can reduce stress and enhance emotional and cognitive functioning of university students. This integrated approach offers a novel model for mental health promotion in educational settings. However, given the small sample size and short dura tion, further research using larger samples, control groups, and long-term follow-ups is needed to verify these outcomes. Incorporating physiological measures and qualitative methods could also enhance the validity and depth of future studies, helping establish evidence-based practices in university mental health programs.
*연구과제명: 학교숲 기반 액트매트릭스 새관찰 프로그램의 심리적 효과
-연구 기관: KAIST Center for Contemplative Science; Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (연구팀)
-저자: 김윤희
Objectives: To examine psychological effects of an ACT Matrix-based Birdwatching Program conducted in a school forest on graduate students’ mindfulness, mood states, and connectedness to nature. Methods: Seven graduate students from the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technol ogy (KAIST) participated in a 180-minute program integrating the ACT Matrix and birdwatch ing held in a school forest. Psychological changes were measured pre- and post-intervention using validated self-report instruments, including the Korean Version of the Profile of Mood States-Brief (K-POMS), the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale (K-MMAS), and the Connect edness to Nature Scale (K-CNS). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (p < 0.05).
Results: Participants showed a significant increase in mindfulness and nature connectedness with significant decreases of tension, anxiety, and depression. These findings suggest that com bining nature-based experiences such as birdwatching with the ACT Matrix can support psy chological well-being of graduate students.
Conclusion: Results of this study indicate that a nature-based mindfulness intervention incor porating the ACT Matrix and birdwatching can reduce stress and enhance emotional and cognitive functioning of university students. This integrated approach offers a novel model for mental health promotion in educational settings. However, given the small sample size and short dura tion, further research using larger samples, control groups, and long-term follow-ups is needed to verify these outcomes. Incorporating physiological measures and qualitative methods could also enhance the validity and depth of future studies, helping establish evidence-based practices in university mental health programs.