Improving Engagement in Behavioral and Mental Health Services Through Animal-Assisted Interventions: A Scoping Review

Flynn, Erin; Zoller, Alexandra G; Gandenberger, Jaci; Morris, Kevin N.

doi:10.1176/appi.ps.202000585

Cited by 19 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 31 publications

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“…One method that is currently discussed to increase acceptability and effectiveness of psychotherapeutic interventions is animal-assistance 34 . An animal-assisted mindfulness intervention for patients with recurrent depression was found to lead to a decrease in depressive symptoms and rumination, and an improvement in overall mindfulness skills with no dropouts 35 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…An animal-assisted mindfulness intervention for patients with recurrent depression was found to lead to a decrease in depressive symptoms and rumination, and an improvement in overall mindfulness skills with no dropouts 35 . Other studies indicate positive effects of interacting with animals on social behavior and motivation 36 , 37 , mood 38 , establishing contact, communication and relaxation 39 , stress-related parameters and positive emotional-physiologic states 40 , anxiety 41 , 42 , episodic memory 43 , concentration 44 , 45 , and engagement in behavioral and mental health services 34 . Integrating a domesticated animal in a psychotherapeutic intervention, delivered by a psychotherapist with additional certification in animal-assisted therapy, is conceptualized as animal-assisted psychotherapy 46 , 47 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Effects of animal-assisted psychotherapy incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in neurorehabilitation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Künzi

Ackert

Holtforth

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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Transdiagnostic psychotherapeutic approaches are increasingly used in neurorehabilitation to address psychological distress. Animal-assistance is thought to increase efficacy. The present study evaluates a psychotherapeutic mindfulness- and self-compassion-based group intervention (MSCBI) with and without animal-assistance for patients with acquired brain injury. Patients (N = 31) were randomly assigned to the 6-week intervention with (n = 14) or without animal-assistance (n = 17). Primary outcome was psychological distress at post- and follow-up treatment, secondary outcomes were changes within-session of patients’ emotional states, adherence to treatment and attrition. Psychological distress significantly decreased in both groups from pre- to follow-up treatment with no difference between groups. Patients in the animal-assisted MSCBI group reported significantly higher increases in feeling secure, accepted, comforted, grateful, motivated and at ease during the sessions compared to patients in the MSCBI group without animal-assistance. Adherence to sessions was significantly higher in the animal-assisted MSCBI group. Attrition did not significantly differ between groups. Our results show that both MSCBIs with and without animal-assistance are feasible and effective in reducing psychological distress in patients with acquired brain injury. The significant changes within-sessions mainly in relationship-based emotional states and the higher treatment adherence suggest additional effects of animal-assistance. Animal-assistance might increase acceptability and patients’ commitment to psychotherapy.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of animal-assisted psychotherapy incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in neurorehabilitation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Künzi

Ackert

Holtforth

et al. 2022

Sci Rep

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“…The programme aims to better prepare veterinary students for their job‐readiness after they graduate and to evaluate the potential benefits of an animal‐assisted stress reduction teaching. We believe the trained therapy dogs enhance engagement of mental health conversations 59 especially with the animal‐loving nature 60 of our future veterinarians. We propose that practising veterinarians should also receive trainings on communication, business, and mental health.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intra‐professional stress—demonstrating veterinarian identity in Hong Kong

2022

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Objective Little is known about the contributing factors of mental health among veterinarians in Hong Kong. This qualitative study aimed to examine potential contributing factors that lead to their stress and poor mental health. Procedures Potential participants were screened and recruited using purposive and snowball sampling to maximise variations. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted between December 2020 and April 2021. The data collection and analysis adopted the constructivist grounded theory's three‐stage coding process and were thematically coded and analysed. Results Eighteen veterinarians took part in the study. Intra‐professional stress was classified by stressors from individual veterinarians, expectations of their workplace, and shared values among the profession. Participants expected themselves to exhibit professionalism when under low‐quality workplace leadership with restrictions from the profession's institutional regulations and resources. The urbanised culture and cyberbullying phenomenon in Hong Kong contributed significantly to the stress and impacted their mental well‐being. Conclusion and relevance The quality of communication and the feasibility of meeting expectations were overarching concepts associated with intra‐professional stressors. While this paper focuses on stressors residing within the veterinary community, veterinarians' responses to expectations of the animal‐health enthusiast community were equally influential. This study enabled an international comparison of the profession's distress from non‐Anglosphere, urbanised city, and will shed light on the development of future research and practice to improve the mental health of veterinarians, which directly influences the well‐being of the animals and their owners in Hong Kong.

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“…We recognised that practicing veterinarians may be too busy to seek professional help, 13 we have recently piloted an animal-assisted mental health educational programme with veterinary medical students in Hong Kong. The programme aimed to prepare future veterinarians from possible stressors and challenging ahead, assisted by trained therapy dogs as evidence suggested animal-assisted education effectively engages mental health conversations 38 and reduces anxiety. 39 We also believe that because veterinarians have more love and care for animals than others, therefore in the presence of animals, students are expected of better socioemotional engagement and adherence to memory, 40 thus encourages the learning of mental health literacy and sustainability when compared to non-animal-assisted programs.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Suicidality, depression, and anxiety among Hong Kong veterinarians: a quantitative pilot study

Chan

Wong

2023

Preprint

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Objective The suicidality and poor mental health conditions of the veterinary profession have drawn increasing attention; however, little is known about the mental health status of veterinarians in Hong Kong. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of suicidality and symptoms of depression and anxiety among Hong Kong veterinarians. Methods All veterinarians were registered and practising in Hong Kong at the time of recruitment to the e-survey study between 1 January 2022 and 31 March 2022. Participants’ suicidality, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms were assessed using validated scales. Results Data from 56 participants were included in the analysis. Among them, 22.0% self-reported as at risk of suicide, 19.6% had current suicidal ideation, and 29.4% and 23.5% had depressive and anxiety symptoms, respectively. Our findings were comparable to or higher than those reported in Anglophone and European countries. Conclusion Contextual factors affecting the mental health of veterinarians practising in Hong Kong are worth further investigation. It is important to enhance mental health awareness by improving the profession’s mental health literacy as a suicide prevention strategy.

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Improving Engagement in Behavioral and Mental Health Services Through Animal-Assisted Interventions: A Scoping Review

Cited by 19 publications

References 31 publications

Effects of animal-assisted psychotherapy incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in neurorehabilitation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Effects of animal-assisted psychotherapy incorporating mindfulness and self-compassion in neurorehabilitation: a randomized controlled feasibility trial

Intra‐professional stress—demonstrating veterinarian identity in Hong Kong

Suicidality, depression, and anxiety among Hong Kong veterinarians: a quantitative pilot study

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