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Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM2021; 2021; 2217761; doi: 10.1155/2021/2217761

Australian Community and Health Professionals Perceptions of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy.

Abstract: Mental health conditions are increasingly prevalent in the Australian population, and despite the large evidence-based support for contemporary treatments, there are barriers which inhibit their efficacy. Thus, there is a perceived need for therapists to consider other therapeutic options which have potential to enhance treatment outcomes. There is increasing acceptance for complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) among general practitioners and clients/general community. Specifically, more than 70% of Australians utilize CAM. Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is an underutilized, culturally sensitive, complementary therapy, which has the potential to mitigate barriers of conventional therapy. The present study aimed to determine the level of knowledge about and general acceptance of EAP as a treatment for general psychopathology symptomology within community members and health professionals. The current sample included 144 community members and 55 health professionals, all with Australian citizenship. Data analysis comprised the independent t-test and two hierarchical multiple regressions. Results indicated that community members are significantly more accepting of EAP as a treatment compared to health professionals. Of the predictors tested, higher social support and openness within community members were significant predictors of accepting perceptions, and rural location was the only significant predictor for health professional's accepting perceptions of EAP. This is one of the first studies to investigate perceptions of EAP outside the EAP field and through comparison between community members and health professionals. The current study identifies the need for future research to further investigate perceptions of EAP among Australian health professionals.
Copyright © 2021 P. Stapleton and K. T. Grimmett.
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Publication Date: 2021-12-10 PubMed ID: 34925526PubMed Central: PMC8683167DOI: 10.1155/2021/2217761Google 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.

The research article investigates the perception of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP), an alternative form of treatment for mental health conditions, among Australian community members and health professionals. The study found that community members are more accepting of EAP, and the level of openness and social support significantly affects their acceptance, while the rural location of health professionals is a significant factor in their acceptance of EAP.

Research Purpose and Methodology

  • The study aimed to gain insights into how community members and health professionals perceive EAP as a treatment for general psychopathology symptoms and their level of knowledge about it.
  • The researchers collected data from a sample of 144 community members and 55 health professionals who are Australian citizens.
  • They used an independent t-test and two hierarchical multiple regressions for data analysis.

Key Findings

  • The researchers found that community members are generally more accepting of EAP as a treatment compared to health professionals.
  • Among community members, higher levels of social support and openness were significant predictors of accepting views towards EAP.
  • The rural location of health professionals was found to be the only significant predictor for their accepting perceptions of EAP.

Implications and Future Research

  • This study is one of the first to explore perceptions of EAP outside the field of EAP and through a comparison between community members and health professionals.
  • It highlights the need for more research to understand the perception towards EAP among Australian health professionals.
  • Such research could potentially help address any misconceptions and improve the overall acceptance and knowledge of EAP as a therapeutic option for mental health conditions.

Cite This Article

APA
Stapleton P, Grimmett KT. (2021). Australian Community and Health Professionals Perceptions of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med, 2021, 2217761. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2217761

Publication

Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
ISSN: 1741-427X
NlmUniqueID: 101215021
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 2021
Pages: 2217761

Researcher Affiliations

Stapleton, P
  • School of Psychology, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4229, Australia.
Grimmett, K T
  • School of Psychology, Bond University, Gold Coast, Queensland 4229, Australia.

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest.

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