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Frontiers in public health2022; 10; 730644; doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.730644

Use of Equine-Assisted Services to Improve Outcomes Among At-Risk and Indigenous Youth: A Scoping Review.

Abstract: Equine-assisted services (EAS) are gaining popularity as ways to promote psychological health and social well-being. EAS may show particular promise as culturally appropriate initiatives for at-risk Indigenous youth, as they are thought to align well with Indigenous ways of knowing which place emphasis on relationships between the land and all living beings. We seek to better understand previous uses of EAS as initiatives for at-risk youth populations, including Indigenous populations, and learn about which outcomes have been addressed in the literature with an EAS initiative by conducting a scoping review. The review focused on initiatives targeting at-risk youth aged 10-18 years of age in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States. A total of 27 studies were included in the final analysis from all target countries except New Zealand. The target populations were further divided into four subgroups: at-risk youth, youth with mental health disorders and/or learning disabilities, youth survivors of trauma/abuse, and at-risk Indigenous youth. Overall findings of the review suggest EAS are promising approaches for achieving therapeutic and learning goals with the potential to be successful with both Indigenous youth and at-risk youth more broadly.
Copyright © 2022 Haig and Skinner.
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Publication Date: 2022-03-28 PubMed ID: 35419329PubMed Central: PMC8996079DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.730644Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Systematic Review

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 discusses a review of equine-assisted services (EAS) — practices that involve horses for therapeutic benefits — focusing on their effectiveness for promoting psychological health among at-risk and Indigenous youth. It also studies the cultural relevance of EAS for Indigenous communities.

Research Methodology

  • The researchers conducted a scoping review to better understand the applications and outcomes of EAS, especially as initiatives for at-risk and Indigenous youth populations. A scoping review is a type of literature review that maps relevant literature on a specific research area.
  • The review focuses on initiatives targeting at-risk youth aged 10-18 years in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United States.
  • The research takes into account a total of 27 studies, unfortunately excluding any from New Zealand.

Subgroup Classification

  • For better understanding and analysis, the targeted youth populations were divided into four subgroups: at-risk youth in general, those with mental health disorders and/or learning disabilities, survivors of trauma/abuse, and at-risk Indigenous youth.

Conclusions Drawn From the Study

  • The study suggests that EAS are a promising approach for achieving therapeutic and learning goals and can potentially be successful with both at-risk and Indigenous youth.
  • EAS sessions are believed to be culturally appropriate for Indigenous communities as they align with Indigenous philosophies which emphasize relationships between the land and all living beings.

Implications of the Study

  • The outcomes of this study may encourage more adoption of EAS practices in strategies intended to promote psychological health and social well-being among at-risk and Indigenous youth.
  • The study highlights the overall potential and need for further in-depth research to substantiate these findings and explore other possible benefits of EAS.

Cite This Article

APA
Haig L, Skinner K. (2022). Use of Equine-Assisted Services to Improve Outcomes Among At-Risk and Indigenous Youth: A Scoping Review. Front Public Health, 10, 730644. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2022.730644

Publication

Frontiers in public health
ISSN: 2296-2565
NlmUniqueID: 101616579
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 10
Pages: 730644
PII: 730644

Researcher Affiliations

Haig, Laurie
  • School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.
Skinner, Kelly
  • School of Public Health Sciences, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON, Canada.

MeSH Terms

  • Animals
  • Canada
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Horses
  • Mental Disorders / therapy
  • Mental Health
  • Risk Factors
  • United States

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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