This study carried out to identify effect of horticultural therapy programs (HTP) on the changes of depression and self-esteem in released-convicts. HTP were conducted once a week total 4 times (each time 60 minutes) from 7 November to 28, 2016 on 13 released-convicts coming Korea rehabilitation agency Gwangju Jeonnam branch. Measurement methods were used scale of depression, scale of self-esteem, Form for evaluation of HTP. As a result, the mean value of depression was decreased to 11.2 after HTP compared with 17.4 before HTP and there was statistically significant difference (p=.013). And HTP in grade of self esteem was increased to 16.1 after HTP compared with 12.1 before HTP and there was statistically significant difference (p=.001). The result of this study indicated that the horticultural therapy programs has positive effects on depression and self-esteem in released-convicts.

• Hyo Kyoung Kim(Department of Nursing, Christian College of Nursing, Gwangju 61662, South Korea)
• Song Sook Na(Department of Nursing, Christian College of Nursing, Gwangju 61662, South Korea) *Corresponding author
• Hyang Hee Kim(Gwangju Buk-gu Mental Health Center, Gwangju 61196, South Korea)