STRENGTHENING THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH OF PALM OIL INDUSTRY WORKERS THROUGH RECREATION-BASED GROUP COUNSELING PENGUATAN KESEHATAN FISIK DAN MENTAL PEKERJA INDUSTRI KELAPA SAWIT MELALUI KONSELING KELOMPOK BERBASIS AKTIVITAS REKREASI Section Articles

Abstract

Palm oil industry workers face high physical workloads and psychological pressure due to monotonous
environments and strict production targets. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of group
counseling based on recreational activities in improving workers’ physical and mental health. A quasi
experimental method was applied using a pre-test and post-test design involving 60 workers from a palm
oil company in North Sumatra. The intervention included light exercise, team games, relaxation, and group
counseling sessions. Instruments used were physical fitness tests and the DASS-21 scale to measure stress,
anxiety, and depression. The results showed significant improvements in physical fitness indicators and
reductions in stress scores by 25%, anxiety by 18%, and depression by 12%. The conclusion of this study
is that group counseling based on recreational activities is effective in strengthening the physical and
mental health of industrial workers. The implication of these findings is that palm oil companies should
integrate recreational approaches into their occupational health programs to sustainably enhance worker
well-being and productivity.
Keywords: Group counseling; mental health; palm oil workers; physical health; recreational activities