Therapeutic horseback riding for at-risk adolescents in residential care.
Abstract: Over the past two decades, a large body of research has focused on the contribution of equine-assisted therapies to positive psychological changes in at-risk adolescents. The current study aimed to explore the subjective experiences of therapeutic horseback riding (THR, a type of equine-assisted therapy) among at-risk adolescents and examine how they describe the psychological benefits and the mechanisms of change of a THR intervention. Methods: This qualitative study focused on at-risk adolescents living in residential care. In-depth interviews were conducted with 19 adolescents. Results: Thematic analysis revealed three themes: (a) participants' presentation, (b) the benefits of riding as a mechanism of change in the THR intervention, and (c) the benefits of the relationship with the horse as a mechanism of change in the THR intervention. Conclusions: The results of this study emphasize that the riding process and the relationship with the horse are the core mechanisms of THR interventions for at-risk adolescents and provide various psychological, behavioral, and relational benefits. Self-determination theory (SDT) is a relevant framework through which to explore at-risk adolescents' subjective experiences of THR intervention and reveal its benefits for them.
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Publication Date: 2022-11-23 PubMed ID: 36419104PubMed Central: PMC9686044DOI: 10.1186/s13034-022-00523-5Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The study investigates the psychological benefits and change mechanisms of therapeutic horseback riding (THR) on adolescents at risk and living in residential care.
Objective and Methods of the Research
- This study aims to understand the subjective experiences of at-risk adolescents engaging in therapeutic horseback riding (THR) and explain the psychological benefits they receive from this interaction. It also explores how these adolescents perceive the changes that come about from a THR intervention.
- The researchers conducted a qualitative study focused on at-risk adolescents living in residential care to explore these objectives. They carried out in-depth interviews with 19 adolescents to gain valuable insights into their experiences.
Results of the Study
- Through thematic analysis of the data collected, the researchers identified three main themes; the participants’ presentation, the benefits of riding regarded as a mechanism of change in THR intervention, and the benefits from the relationship with the horse as a mechanism of change in the THR intervention.
- These themes encompass the subjective experiences of the adolescents, their perception of the benefits of horseback riding, and the relationship with the horse during THR intervention.
Conclusions drawn from the Research
- The study concludes that the riding process and the relationship developed with the horse are the core mechanisms responsible for the change in THR interventions for at-risk adolescents.
- These mechanisms offer various psychological, behavioral, and relational benefits that contribute to the adolescents’ personal growth and well-being.
- Furthermore, the research findings suggest that Self-determination theory (SDT) is a fitting framework for understanding the adolescents’ subjective experiences and benefits derived from a THR intervention.
Cite This Article
APA
Weiss-Dagan S, Naim-Levi N, Brafman D.
(2022).
Therapeutic horseback riding for at-risk adolescents in residential care.
Child Adolesc Psychiatry Ment Health, 16(1), 90.
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-022-00523-5 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, 52900, Ramat Gan, Israel. shlomit.weiss-dagan@biu.ac.il.
- School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, 52900, Ramat Gan, Israel.
- School of Social Work, Ariel University, Kiryat Hamada 3, 40700, Ariel, Israel.
Conflict of Interest Statement
The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.
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Citations
This article has been cited 4 times.- Sivagurunathan R, Senathirajah ARBS, Sivagurunathan L, Arokiasamy L, Qazi S, Haque R, Su Y. Equine-assisted learning and leadership transformation: an exploratory qualitative study of workplace behavior. Front Vet Sci 2025;12:1700029.
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