A Program Evaluation: Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy Outcomes for Children and Adolescents
- PDF / 652,246 Bytes
- 11 Pages / 595.276 x 790.866 pts Page_size
- 8 Downloads / 148 Views
A Program Evaluation: Equine‑Assisted Psychotherapy Outcomes for Children and Adolescents Carole Harvey1 · Holly Jedlicka2 · Sandra Martinez3
© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2020
Abstract This study evaluates early outcomes of a program in the Midwest United States adhering to the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) model of equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) involving a licensed mental health professional, an equine specialist, and horses or donkeys in the service provision. Designed to impact social behavior in children and adolescents struggling with issues of mental health diagnosis and/or family-home issues, the topics central to the program include skill building such as leadership, listening, emotional self-control, problem-solving, setting boundaries, and self-awareness. Data from the Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2), Second Edition, was collected for 19 participants, from both their parents and teachers, following participation in the 10-week program. Overall, results are mixed with several promising findings that require more exploration. Paired-samples t-tests indicate that some participants demonstrated significant improvement in both primary and composite scales that served as a framework for pre and post testing (Reynolds and Kamphaus in BASC-2: Behavioral assessment system for children. Minneapolis, MN, Reynolds, C., & Kamphaus, R. W. (2004). BASC-2: Behavioral assessment system for children. Minneapolis, MN) and included: anxiety, social skills, study skills, anger control, aggression. The authors discuss ways to augment the effectiveness of program evaluation in EAP. Keywords Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) · Human animal interaction · Animal assisted therapy · Equine assisted psychotherapy · Behavior Assessment System for Children (BASC-2)
Problem Statement
• 9.4% of children aged 2–17 years (approximately 6.1 mil-
According to Youth.Gov (2020), one in every 4–5 youth meet criteria for life-long diagnosis of a mental health disorder. National and international reviews of literature show that 17% of youth experience an emotional, mental, or behavioral disorder, and suicide is one of the leading causes of death in youth ages 10–24 (Youth.Gov). The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report that early diagnosis and treatment can make a difference in the life of the child-youth, that:
• 7.4% of children aged 3–17 years (approximately 4.5 mil-
* Carole Harvey [email protected] 1
College of Social Work, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
2
PBJ Connections, Pataskala, OH, USA
3
Columbus, OH, USA
lion) have received an ADHD diagnosis.
lion) have a diagnosed behavior problem.
• 7.1% of children aged 3–17 years (approximately 4.4 mil-
lion) have been diagnosed with anxiety.
• 3.2% of children aged 3–17 years (approximately 1.9 mil-
lion) have been diagnosed with depression.
• Diagnoses of depression and anxiety are more common
with increased age
(Centers for Disease Contro
Data Loading...
