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International journal of environmental research and public health2020; 17(8); 2967; doi: 10.3390/ijerph17082967

How Equine-Assisted Activities Affect the Prosocial Behavior of Adolescents.

Abstract: Multiple studies have investigated the positive effects of human-animal interactions and showed that animal-assisted activities can be successfully used to better human physical and mental health. Equine-assisted activities have also raised considerable attention within the field. Our research focuses on healthy students (aged 14-18) without deviations or special educational needs. We analyze the occurrence of behavior problems and prosocial behavior among adolescents who regularly have interactions with horses, and those who have no connection to horses at all. The subjects of our investigation completed the strengths and difficulties questionnaire (SDQ), and we use a 'quasi' 2 × 2 before-after control-impact design to analyze the data. Students studying equine-related vocations and students of other vocations are compared, at the beginning and at the end of their studies. Our results indicate that students of equine-related vocations are more helpful and empathetic, and have fewer behavior problems, than those studying other vocations. There is a negative correlation between prosocial behavior and behavior problems. The development of the prosocial behaviors of students with regular horse-human interactions is more remarkable than of those who have no connection to horses. With these results, we are going to confirm the hypothesis that equine-assisted activities correlate with positive behavioral traits among healthy adolescents.
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Publication Date: 2020-04-24 PubMed ID: 32344787PubMed Central: PMC7216257DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17082967Google 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 study investigates how regular interaction with horses affects the prosocial behavior and behavior problems of adolescents. The results suggest that those participating in equine-related activities are more empathetic and helpful, and exhibit fewer behavior problems compared to their peers involved in other activities.

Study Participants and Design

  • The study focuses on emotionally and physically healthy adolescents aged 14-18 who do not have special educational needs.
  • The researchers compared two groups of students: those studying equine-related vocations and those pursuing other areas of study.
  • A ‘quasi’ 2 × 2 before-after control-impact design was used in this research. This experimental design allows comparison between two different groups (equine-studying students vs other vocations) at two points in time (before and after their studies).

Methodology

  • The primary tool used to gather data was the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), a widely-used psychological instrument for measuring adolescent behavioral traits.
  • The researchers used this questionnaire to rate and analyze the occurrence of behavior problems and prosocial behavior, meaning behavior that is positive, helpful and promotes social acceptance.

Findings

  • The results indicate a greater degree of prosocial behavior and a lower incidence of behavior problems among students engaged in equine-related vocations compared to students pursuing other vocations.
  • Prosocial behaviors, such as empathy and helpfulness, appeared to correlate negatively with behavior problems, suggesting that as prosocial behavior increased, behavior issues decreased.
  • The development of prosocial behaviors was especially notable in students who had regular interactions with horses as opposed to those who did not.

Significance of the Research

  • This study supports the hypothesis that equine-assisted activities correlate with positive behavioral traits among healthy adolescents.
  • The research underscores the potential of animals, particularly horses, in promoting mental health and helping adolescents to cultivate and exhibit more prosocial behavior.

Cite This Article

APA
Pelyva IZ, Kresák R, Szovák E, Tóth ÁL. (2020). How Equine-Assisted Activities Affect the Prosocial Behavior of Adolescents. Int J Environ Res Public Health, 17(8), 2967. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17082967

Publication

International journal of environmental research and public health
ISSN: 1660-4601
NlmUniqueID: 101238455
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 17
Issue: 8
PII: 2967

Researcher Affiliations

Pelyva, Imre Zoltán
  • Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary.
Kresák, Réka
  • Institute of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Szeged, H-6722 Szeged, Hungary.
Szovák, Etelka
  • Doctoral School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, H-7621 Pécs, Hungary.
Tóth, Ákos Levente
  • Institute of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Faculty of Science, University of Pécs, H-7624 Pécs, Hungary.

MeSH Terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adolescent Behavior
  • Animals
  • Equine-Assisted Therapy
  • Female
  • Horses
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Problem Behavior
  • Students
  • Surveys and Questionnaires

Conflict of Interest Statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Citations

This article has been cited 1 times.
  1. Tóth ÁL, Kívés Z, Szovák E, Kresák R, Jeges S, Kertai B, Pelyva IZ. Sense of Coherence and Self-Rated Aggression of Adolescents during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic, with a Focus on the Effects of Animal Assisted Activities.. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Dec 31;20(1).
    doi: 10.3390/ijerph20010769pubmed: 36613091google scholar: lookup
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