Physiological and Psychological Effects of Animal Interaction
Interactions with animals can cause individuals to exhibit physical and cognitive effects that can be beneficial in increasing functional activities within the mental health population. The article by Barker and Dawson (1998) investigates how the anxiety levels of a psychiatric patient (hospitalized) would change after sessions of AAT; they had the participants through a self-reported questionnaire. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of anxiety scores post-session across all psychiatric patients (Barker & Dawson, 1998). In Shiloh et al. (2003) subjects were introduced to a stressful situation (given a false impression that they might have to hold a Tarantula …show more content…
The articles mentioned above found a reduction in anxiety levels after being introduced to a living animal, however all three studies relied on self-reported measures which may result in inaccuracy between reported and actual anxiety levels (and other measures tested). Even so, both studies utilized a standardized assessment (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) so the results have both validity and reliability. The results demonstrated that the presence of a live animal can calm and ease symptoms of stress and fear in individuals, even with those with a presentation of a mental illness. Berget and Braastad (2008) recruited patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnosis for a 12-week long intervention that consisted of working with the animals on a farm for a 3-hour period, twice every week. The study found a significant increase in self-efficacy and coping ability six months post-intervention in contrast to pre-intervention, but no significant changes in quality of life (Berget & Braastad, 2008). Coping ability relates to the individual’s ability to recognize when their stress and anxiety levels are increasing and …show more content…
A study with dementia patient by Majić, Gutzmann, Heinz, Lang, and Rapp (2013) found that animals helped to stabilize depression, aggression, and agitation. However, this study has poor external validity due to its sample of only eight nursing homes in Germany. Both studies speak to the wide range of benefits that animal interactions can provoke within all individuals. In particular, the empathy and trust that these interactions promote can help expose clients to participation in a wider range of activities. Antonioli (2005) conducted a study with 30 individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate depression, randomly assigned to either a nature program with water activities or water activities group in which participants had the opportunities to swim and play with dolphins. The study found that within two weeks of treatment the mean severity of depression on the Hamilton rating scale for depression decreased (Antonioli, 2005). Sams, Fortney, and Willenbring (2006) researched how animals can be geared towards increasing social interaction and language skills through tasks
Interactions with animals can cause individuals to exhibit physical and cognitive effects that can be beneficial in increasing functional activities within the mental health population. The article by Barker and Dawson (1998) investigates how the anxiety levels of a psychiatric patient (hospitalized) would change after sessions of AAT; they had the participants through a self-reported questionnaire. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of anxiety scores post-session across all psychiatric patients (Barker & Dawson, 1998). In Shiloh et al. (2003) subjects were introduced to a stressful situation (given a false impression that they might have to hold a Tarantula …show more content…
The articles mentioned above found a reduction in anxiety levels after being introduced to a living animal, however all three studies relied on self-reported measures which may result in inaccuracy between reported and actual anxiety levels (and other measures tested). Even so, both studies utilized a standardized assessment (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory) so the results have both validity and reliability. The results demonstrated that the presence of a live animal can calm and ease symptoms of stress and fear in individuals, even with those with a presentation of a mental illness. Berget and Braastad (2008) recruited patients with a variety of psychiatric diagnosis for a 12-week long intervention that consisted of working with the animals on a farm for a 3-hour period, twice every week. The study found a significant increase in self-efficacy and coping ability six months post-intervention in contrast to pre-intervention, but no significant changes in quality of life (Berget & Braastad, 2008). Coping ability relates to the individual’s ability to recognize when their stress and anxiety levels are increasing and …show more content…
A study with dementia patient by Majić, Gutzmann, Heinz, Lang, and Rapp (2013) found that animals helped to stabilize depression, aggression, and agitation. However, this study has poor external validity due to its sample of only eight nursing homes in Germany. Both studies speak to the wide range of benefits that animal interactions can provoke within all individuals. In particular, the empathy and trust that these interactions promote can help expose clients to participation in a wider range of activities. Antonioli (2005) conducted a study with 30 individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate depression, randomly assigned to either a nature program with water activities or water activities group in which participants had the opportunities to swim and play with dolphins. The study found that within two weeks of treatment the mean severity of depression on the Hamilton rating scale for depression decreased (Antonioli, 2005). Sams, Fortney, and Willenbring (2006) researched how animals can be geared towards increasing social interaction and language skills through tasks