A Quasi-Experimental Study on the Effectiveness of Dutch Cell Dogs in Incarcerated Youth

Duindam, Hanne M.; Creemers, Hanneke E.; Hoeve, Machteld; Asscher, Jessica J.

doi:10.1177/0306624x20983748

Cited by 5 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 55 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The moderator age influenced DCD effectiveness on infractions, suggesting a differential effect for younger (< 36 years) participants. Previous studies on prison-based dog programs and DCD with incarcerated juveniles demonstrate diversity in program responsiveness based on age and cultural background (Duindam et al, 2021). However, research on other forms of correctional programing, and animalassisted therapy more generally, also did not find evidence for moderation by cultural background (Usher & Stewart, 2014) and age group (Nimer & Lundahl, 2007).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

“…Specifically for DCD, the DTP under study, recent research points in the direction of differential responsiveness (Duindam et al, 2021). For instance, more favorable outcomes were found in incarcerated youth with an older age or immigrant background (Duindam et al, 2021). In sum, there are indications that participants' characteristics may moderate the effectiveness of DTPs; this warrants further exploration.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The authors of both meta-analyses commented on the scarcity of studies that examined for whom and under which circumstances these type of interventions are (most) beneficial (Duindam et al, 2020;Nimer & Lundahl, 2007). Specifically for DCD, the DTP under study, recent research points in the direction of differential responsiveness (Duindam et al, 2021). For instance, more favorable outcomes were found in incarcerated youth with an older age or immigrant background (Duindam et al, 2021).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Who Lets the Dog In? Differential Effects of a Dog-Training Program for Incarcerated Adults

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This quasi-experimental study examined the short-term effectiveness of Dutch Cell Dogs (DCD), a short prison-based dogtraining program, on anti-social behavioral and wellbeing outcomes of incarcerated adults (n = 138; men = 133; women = 5). Little is known about the responsivity of subgroupsand the prerequisites of changein dog-training programs (DTPs). Therefore, the role of moderators (age, cultural background, correctional facility type) and predictors (dog bond, implementation process) of DCD was also assessed. Results demonstrated that DCD (n = 70) did not outperform treatment-asusual (TAU; n = 68) in any of the outcomes, although a small negative effect was found for aggression (F (1,135) = 5.552, p = 0.020), which appeared driven by the group of participants who had a weaker bond with the dog. This group had higher aggression levels after the program, compared with TAU (F (1, 98) = 9.443, p = 0.003). The dog bond was not associated with any other outcomes post-intervention. In addition, age moderated program effectiveness on infractions (Wald χ 2(1) = 6.254, p = 0.012), suggesting differential effects for younger (< 36 years) participants. No evidence was found for the other moderators and predictor of implementation quality. In conclusion, DCD did not outperform TAU in anti-social behavioral and wellbeing outcomes. Some evidence for predictors and moderators were found. The present study is only one of the first to examine what matters for whom in a DTP for incarcerated adults. More research, preferably in the form of randomized controlled trials with sufficiently large sample sizes, is needed.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 77%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Who Lets the Dog In? Differential Effects of a Dog-Training Program for Incarcerated Adults

et al. 2021

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Recently, a quasi-experimental study examined the short-term effectiveness of DCD in juveniles [ 14 ]. In line with the pilot study with a multiple case design [ 15 ], nonsignificant effects on aggression, institutional infractions, wellbeing, and therapeutic alliance and motivation were found.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The present study aimed to expand knowledge of DTPs’ underlying mechanisms, by examining the role of the human–animal bond (HAB). Data of the study of Duindam and colleagues [ 14 ] were used to examine the association between HAB, on one hand, and stress and self-esteem on the other hand, among detained juveniles participating in DCD.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Friend in Prison: Human-Animal Bond, Stress and Self-Esteem of Detained Juveniles in Dutch Cell Dogs

Karkdijk

Duindam

Deković

et al. 2022

Animals

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This study examined to what extent the human–animal bond (HAB) had a positive impact on stress and self-esteem among detained juveniles participating in the prison-based dog training program Dutch Cell Dogs (DCD). Participants were 75 detained juveniles (mean age = 19.5, 86.7% male). Self-reported stress and self-esteem were assessed before the start of DCD (T1), after four weeks (halfway training/T2) and after eight weeks (end training/T3). Structured interviews and questionnaire items were used to measure the HAB quality and perceived reciprocity in the HAB at T2 and T3. Data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling. In the variable-centered approach analyses, only the cross-sectional positive association between HAB quality and self-esteem at T2 was significant in the cross-lagged panel models. None of the cross-lagged paths between the HAB and stress or self-esteem were significant. In the person-centered approach analyses, growth mixture modeling identified two patterns of self-esteem (“high stable” and “high decreasing”); however, these patterns were not predicted by HAB. Thus, in contrast to our hypotheses, the HAB did not predict improvements in detained juveniles’ stress and self-esteem. These findings underline the need for more research into the often-presumed role of HAB within prison-based dog training programs.

show abstract

Guidance on minimum standards for canine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescent mental health: Delphi expert consensus on terminology, qualifications and training

Jones,

Filia,

Rice

et al. 2023

Human-Animal Interactions

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Canine-assisted psychotherapy (CAP) is an emerging field that is largely unregulated and at times fragmented. Despite this, CAP shows promise as an innovative intervention for improving adolescent mental health. To ensure safe, ethical interventions incorporating dogs, providers need minimum standards to guide intervention development and subsequent research. Initially, standards should guide the preliminary steps required to prepare for and set up CAP interventions. These should include consensus agreement on the specific training and qualifications of providers, and training/assessment standards for canines to deliver such interventions. Also crucial is establishing clear expectations about treatment goals via use of clinically accurate terminology. Methods: Using Delphi methodology, experts in animal-assisted therapy (AAT) were recruited globally to complete questionnaires in an iterative process designed to establish consensus. Consensus was met when 80% or more experts agreed that an item was either ‘important’ or ‘essential’ and therefore included or ‘unimportant’ or ‘irrelevant’ and therefore excluded from the minimum standards required to develop a CAP group intervention for adolescents experiencing common mental health disorders including depression, anxiety, and adjustment disorder. Results: Over two rounds, consensus was reached to include 34 items and exclude none; 45 items remained unresolved. Standardized terminology was identified that clearly defined the type and scope of the service being provided, delineating psychotherapeutic treatments from informal dog-related interactions. To deliver the CAP intervention, providers must have formal qualifications and licensure/registration in mental health, training and supervision in AAT, and canine-specific training and experience. Important temperament characteristics of working dogs were identified including absence of aggression, and enjoyment working in CAP. Dogs should be formally assessed in obedience and AAT applications, in partnership with a bonded handler. Assessors of dog-handler teams should be independent and have expertise in both canine ethology and AAT. Discussion: These results reinforce the importance of accurate and standardized terminology, and the need for further community education on the role of ‘therapy’ and ‘therapy dogs’. Consensus on the essential content for provider training was not achieved, highlighting the diversity of practice globally. Nevertheless, there was recognition of the need for breadth and depth of knowledge across the domains of mental health, AAT, canine training, and handling dogs for AAT applications. Dogs working independently of a bonded handler were not supported, nor were mental health providers working with an ‘assessed’ dog in the absence of AAT and CAP training. Implications for clinical practice are explored.

show abstract

A Quasi-Experimental Study on the Effectiveness of Dutch Cell Dogs in Incarcerated Youth

Cited by 5 publications

References 55 publications

Who Lets the Dog In? Differential Effects of a Dog-Training Program for Incarcerated Adults

Who Lets the Dog In? Differential Effects of a Dog-Training Program for Incarcerated Adults

A Friend in Prison: Human-Animal Bond, Stress and Self-Esteem of Detained Juveniles in Dutch Cell Dogs

Guidance on minimum standards for canine-assisted psychotherapy in adolescent mental health: Delphi expert consensus on terminology, qualifications and training

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About