Effects of animal assisted activity on 7- 11 year old girls in institutional care in Greece

Abstract

The study took place in a Greece institution for the care of children. The hypothesis predicted that interaction with a dog in an AAA programme would lead to change in psychological status in girls aged between 7-11 years.

The study took place in a Greece institution for the care of children. The hypothesis predicted that interaction with a dog in an AAA programme would lead to change in psychological status in girls aged between 7-11 years.

The mixed (2 x 3) design used three repeated measures (baseline; immediately following the AAA programme; and one month after programme completion). The independent variable was the girls' age; the dependent variable was their psychological status at each point of assessment. Information was also collected on prior experience with and attitude to dogs and some demographic data. The participants were girls aged 7-9 years (n=8) and girls aged 10-11 years (n=9). Each group attended 10 AAA sessions with a six month old mix-breed bitch and the male researcher. The girls' psychological status was measured by standardised questionnaires designed for their age groups. These measured overall health and subscales relating to self-perception of school and physical ability, social relationships, physical appearance, behaviour and self-esteem (Makri-Botsari, 2001a, 2001b).

To test for any changes across time, Friedman tests were conducted for each group for each subscale and for overall psychological status. The results indicated increases in both overall psychological status and for each subscale. This increase was apparent immediately after the AAT programme, and though the scores declined slightly after one month they remained significantly above the baseline level (p<0.01) for overall psychological status and for each subscale, except for 'sports ability' in the older group (p=0.04). The data did not suggest any relationship between these results and prior experience of or attitude towards dogs.

Though this was a small study with no control comparison, it does indicate that AAA provision for pre-adolescents in institutionalised care may have effects that are reasonably long lasting. The study indicates this area warrants further exploration


To test for any changes across time, Friedman tests were conducted for each group for each subscale and for overall psychological status. The results indicated increases in both overall psychological status and for each subscale. This increase was apparent immediately after the AAT programme, and though the scores declined slightly after one month they remained significantly above the baseline level (p<0.01) for overall psychological status and for each subscale, except for 'sports ability' in the older group (p=0.04). The data did not suggest any relationship between these results and prior experience of or attitude towards dogs.

Though this was a small study with no control comparison, it does indicate that AAA provision for pre-adolescents in institutionalised care may have effects that are reasonably long lasting. The study indicates this area warrants further exploration.

Key words: animal assisted activity, pre-adolescent, children, institution, girl, psychological benefits

References:
MAKRI-BOTASRI, E (2001a) How Do I Perceive Myself, vol 1 Athens: Ellinika Grammata MAKRI-BOTASRI, E (2001a) How Do I Perceive Myself, vol 1 Athens: Ellinika Grammata

More information

Identifiers

Catalogue record

Export record