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Health & social care in the community2022; 30(6); e5074-e5082; doi: 10.1111/hsc.13922

A qualitative study of equine-assisted therapy for Israeli military and police veterans with PTSD-impact on self-regulation, bonding and hope.

Abstract: Equine-assisted therapy (EAT) is an increasingly popular form of treatment for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who, for one reason or another, find psychotherapy and other traditional treatment approaches unsuitable or unhelpful. However, the concomitant growth of research in the field is yet to engage with key factors relating to EAT; specifically, there are few studies considering the phenomenological perspective of patients, and the embodied knowledge deriving from the lived experience of PTSD patients who participated in EAT-based intervention programmes. Based on a qualitative-phenomenological study, interviews were conducted with 12 PTSD patients who had completed an EAT-based intervention programme. From these, three main themes characterising the meanings they gave to participation in an EAT-based treatment programme were identified: the ability to relax (self-regulation); establishing a relationship (bonding) and transformation and hope for the future. The findings of this study point to a process whereby participation in an EAT-based treatment programme facilitates the ability to cope with PTSD symptoms in a way that bridges the patient's emotional, social and spiritual-existential dimensions. The findings suggest that EAT can contribute to the healing process of veterans suffering from PTSD.
© 2022 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Publication Date: 2022-07-19 PubMed ID: 35852225DOI: 10.1111/hsc.13922Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the benefits of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) for Israeli military and police veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The results highlight the therapy’s ability to help with relaxation, relationship building, and fostering hope for the future.

Research Methodology

  • The study is qualitative and phenomenological, aiming to understand the lived experiences of PTSD patients who participate in EAT-based treatments.
  • The researchers conducted interviews with 12 PTSD patients who had completed an EAT-based intervention programme.
  • The patients’ input was analyzed to ascertain how their participation in the EAT programme influenced their ability to manage PTSD symptoms.

Key Findings

  • The analysis revealed three key themes characterizing PTSD patients’ experiences of EAT: self-regulation, bonding, and hope.
  • Self-Regulation: EAT provided the ability to relax which is key to self-regulation. This suggests that the therapy improved their ability to manage stress and anxiety, crucial elements in PTSD recovery.
  • Bonding: Building a relationship with the horse during EAT created valuable emotional bonds. This bonding process could help patients develop trust and improve their relationship-building capabilities, which may transfer positively to human relationships.
  • Hope: Patients expressed feelings of transformation and hope for the future after participating in the EAT programs. This suggests that the therapy helped to instill a more positive future outlook, which is often diminished in PTSD patients.

Conclusion & Implications of the Research

  • The research findings suggest that EAT can bridge the gap between emotional, social, and existential aspects of the patient’s life, and potentially lead to improved coping mechanisms for PTSD symptoms.
  • This study contributes to a growing field of research supporting the use of animal therapy, specifically EAT, in the treatment of PTSD.
  • The results also call for more extensive studies on EAT and its potential role in the treatment modalities for PTSD, particularly in military and police veterans.

Cite This Article

APA
Rosing T, Malka M, Brafman D, Fisher PW. (2022). A qualitative study of equine-assisted therapy for Israeli military and police veterans with PTSD-impact on self-regulation, bonding and hope. Health Soc Care Community, 30(6), e5074-e5082. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13922

Publication

Health & social care in the community
ISSN: 1365-2524
NlmUniqueID: 9306359
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 30
Issue: 6
Pages: e5074-e5082

Researcher Affiliations

Rosing, Thom
  • Spitzer Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
Malka, Menny
  • Spitzer Department of Social Work, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be'er Sheva, Israel.
Brafman, Dorit
  • School of Social Work, Ariel University, Hamada, Ariel, Israel.
  • Therapeutic riding and Canine Institute (ngo), Derech Halord Tel Mond, Tel Mond, Israel.
Fisher, Prudence W
  • Clinical Psychiatric Social Work (in Psychiatry), Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA.
  • New York State Psychiatric Institute, New York City, New York, USA.

MeSH Terms

  • Horses
  • Animals
  • Humans
  • Veterans / psychology
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic / therapy
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy / methods
  • Police
  • Israel
  • Self-Control

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Marchand WR. Potential Mechanisms of Action and Outcomes of Equine-Assisted Services for Veterans with a History of Trauma: A Narrative Review of the Literature.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2023 Jul 16;20(14).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph20146377pubmed: 37510609google scholar: lookup
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