A Systematic Examination of Animal Assisted Interventions for Disadvantaged Groups
Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology, vol.4, no.4, pp.387-392, 2022 (ESCI)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 4 Issue: 4
- Publication Date: 2022
- Doi Number: 10.35365/ctjpp.22.4.10
- Journal Name: Cyprus Turkish Journal of Psychiatry and Psychology
- Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.387-392
- Keywords: Animal Assisted Activity, Animal Assisted Therapy, Disadvantaged Groups
- Akdeniz University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Pets enrich the lives of individuals of the psychiatric, pediatric and geriatric population due to their therapeutic effects. Therefore, they also helps to meet the needs and goals of individuals. It has been shown that animal-assisted interventions have important benefits for the maintenance and improvement of individuals' physical, mental and social well-being. The aim of this study is to review the benefits and application areas of animal-assisted interventions as a complementary method in the treatment of vulnerable groups and to present some study results in this field. For this purpose, a systematic review model was chosen for this study. It was aimed to interpret the effects of animal-assisted interventions through systematic literature review. Research results indicate no clear and final conclusion on how animal-assisted interventions affect the well-being of individuals. This is due to limitations regarding the frequency, duration and controllability of animal-assisted therapy and animal-assisted activities, and sample sizes, session properties, and pet types utilized in these therapy and activities, and methodological limitations. However, it has been shown that animal-assisted interventions increase positive social behaviors and the use of pets in therapeutic environments have positive effects in general. It is thought that animal-assisted interventions can be used as a complementary method to improve the quality of life of individuals belonging to vulnerable groups. Considering past studies, utilization of animal-assisted interventions in a wide range of areas from psychiatric disorders to developmental disorders, from diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer's to schizophrenia, is recommended.