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CONNECTING FOR HEALTH: PLAYING WITH HORSES AS A THERAPEUTIC TOOL
Author(s) -
Maujean Annick,
Kendall Elizabeth,
Lillan Roquet,
Sharp Tony,
Pringle Graham
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.21547
Subject(s) - intervention (counseling) , psychological intervention , psychology , clinical psychology , psychotherapist , psychiatry
This pilot study examined a brief psychological intervention using horses as a therapeutic tool to improve levels of self‐esteem, self‐efficacy, and facilitate the development of life skills in a group of disengaged youths ( n = 16). Participants and their case managers were interviewed after completion of the program to explore their responses to the intervention. Interview transcripts were coded to identify participants’ experiences and outcomes. Five themes emerged from these interviews, namely, (a) enjoyment, (b) psychological and social benefits, (c) engagement, (d) transferrable skills, and (e) mechanisms of change. The findings of this study indicate that this type of intervention may provide a viable option for youths who are disengaged from school and/or the community and who have not responded to traditional interventions.