The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life

Madison Collins; Victoria Courtright; Mary Casilio; Caleigh Haskiell; Elizabeth Kaspala; Jillian Shelton; Cathy Shanholtz; Daniel Martin

doi:doi:10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life

Madison Collins, Victoria Courtright, Mary Casilio, Caleigh Haskiell, Elizabeth Kaspala, Jillian Shelton, Cathy Shanholtz, Daniel Martin

Published in Rehabilitation Science (Volume 8, Issue 2)

Received: 31 May 2023 Accepted: 16 June 2023 Published: 27 June 2023

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Abstract

A convergent mixed methods study was completed examining participants’ perceived effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in regard to psychosocial functioning and quality of life. A total of 52 participants completed a quantitative survey and seven of them completed a qualitative interview using a phenomenological research approach. The aim of this study was to determine how participation in EAT affected participants’ perceptions of their quality of life. Participants generally reported benefits in psychosocial outcomes including self-esteem, confidence, independence, and social skills. Furthermore, participants reported quality of life benefits including anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, self-care, hope, and trust. Reports of improvements in depression, confidence, and stress levels significantly differed with age, where adults generally saw greater improvements in depression, p = .006, t (21.662) = 4.048, g = 1.14, CI 95% [0.391, 2.229] and confidence outcomes (27.2 years vs. 8 years old), p = .046, W = 7.50, rbc = 0.847, CI 95% [0.398, 0.969] over younger participants. Associations were found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Associations were also found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Finally, a logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in age was associated with increased likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms, where every year older a participant is, their likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms increases by 11%, X2 (32) = 8.174, p = .043. Themes of increased emotional regulation, increased confidence, and the influence of the context and environment were determined through the qualitative data. Results from both the quantitative and qualitative data show a positive impact on the participants’ overall quality of life and psychosocial skills.

Published in	Rehabilitation Science (Volume 8, Issue 2)
DOI	10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
Page(s)	30-38
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Equine-Assisted Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychosocial, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Quality of Life, Self-Confidence, Therapeutic Riding

References

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APA Style

Madison Collins, Victoria Courtright, Mary Casilio, Caleigh Haskiell, Elizabeth Kaspala, et al. (2023). The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life. Rehabilitation Science, 8(2), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

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ACS Style

Madison Collins; Victoria Courtright; Mary Casilio; Caleigh Haskiell; Elizabeth Kaspala, et al. The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life. Rehabil. Sci. 2023, 8(2), 30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

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AMA Style

Madison Collins, Victoria Courtright, Mary Casilio, Caleigh Haskiell, Elizabeth Kaspala, et al. The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life. Rehabil Sci. 2023;8(2):30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

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@article{10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13,
  author = {Madison Collins and Victoria Courtright and Mary Casilio and Caleigh Haskiell and Elizabeth Kaspala and Jillian Shelton and Cathy Shanholtz and Daniel Martin},
  title = {The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life},
  journal = {Rehabilitation Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {30-38},
  doi = {10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.rs.20230802.13},
  abstract = {A convergent mixed methods study was completed examining participants’ perceived effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in regard to psychosocial functioning and quality of life. A total of 52 participants completed a quantitative survey and seven of them completed a qualitative interview using a phenomenological research approach. The aim of this study was to determine how participation in EAT affected participants’ perceptions of their quality of life. Participants generally reported benefits in psychosocial outcomes including self-esteem, confidence, independence, and social skills. Furthermore, participants reported quality of life benefits including anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, self-care, hope, and trust. Reports of improvements in depression, confidence, and stress levels significantly differed with age, where adults generally saw greater improvements in depression, p = .006, t (21.662) = 4.048, g = 1.14, CI 95% [0.391, 2.229] and confidence outcomes (27.2 years vs. 8 years old), p = .046, W = 7.50, rbc = 0.847, CI 95% [0.398, 0.969] over younger participants. Associations were found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Associations were also found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Finally, a logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in age was associated with increased likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms, where every year older a participant is, their likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms increases by 11%, X2 (32) = 8.174, p = .043. Themes of increased emotional regulation, increased confidence, and the influence of the context and environment were determined through the qualitative data. Results from both the quantitative and qualitative data show a positive impact on the participants’ overall quality of life and psychosocial skills.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life
AU  - Madison Collins
AU  - Victoria Courtright
AU  - Mary Casilio
AU  - Caleigh Haskiell
AU  - Elizabeth Kaspala
AU  - Jillian Shelton
AU  - Cathy Shanholtz
AU  - Daniel Martin
Y1  - 2023/06/27
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
T2  - Rehabilitation Science
JF  - Rehabilitation Science
JO  - Rehabilitation Science
SP  - 30
EP  - 38
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-594X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
AB  - A convergent mixed methods study was completed examining participants’ perceived effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in regard to psychosocial functioning and quality of life. A total of 52 participants completed a quantitative survey and seven of them completed a qualitative interview using a phenomenological research approach. The aim of this study was to determine how participation in EAT affected participants’ perceptions of their quality of life. Participants generally reported benefits in psychosocial outcomes including self-esteem, confidence, independence, and social skills. Furthermore, participants reported quality of life benefits including anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, self-care, hope, and trust. Reports of improvements in depression, confidence, and stress levels significantly differed with age, where adults generally saw greater improvements in depression, p = .006, t (21.662) = 4.048, g = 1.14, CI 95% [0.391, 2.229] and confidence outcomes (27.2 years vs. 8 years old), p = .046, W = 7.50, rbc = 0.847, CI 95% [0.398, 0.969] over younger participants. Associations were found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Associations were also found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Finally, a logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in age was associated with increased likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms, where every year older a participant is, their likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms increases by 11%, X2 (32) = 8.174, p = .043. Themes of increased emotional regulation, increased confidence, and the influence of the context and environment were determined through the qualitative data. Results from both the quantitative and qualitative data show a positive impact on the participants’ overall quality of life and psychosocial skills.
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
ER  -

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Author Information

Madison Collins

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Victoria Courtright

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Mary Casilio

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Caleigh Haskiell

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Elizabeth Kaspala

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Jillian Shelton

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Cathy Shanholtz

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA
Daniel Martin

Division of Occupational Therapy, Shenandoah University, Winchester, USA

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APA Style

Madison Collins, Victoria Courtright, Mary Casilio, Caleigh Haskiell, Elizabeth Kaspala, et al. (2023). The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life. Rehabilitation Science, 8(2), 30-38. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

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ACS Style

Madison Collins; Victoria Courtright; Mary Casilio; Caleigh Haskiell; Elizabeth Kaspala, et al. The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life. Rehabil. Sci. 2023, 8(2), 30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

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AMA Style

Madison Collins, Victoria Courtright, Mary Casilio, Caleigh Haskiell, Elizabeth Kaspala, et al. The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life. Rehabil Sci. 2023;8(2):30-38. doi: 10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13

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@article{10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13,
  author = {Madison Collins and Victoria Courtright and Mary Casilio and Caleigh Haskiell and Elizabeth Kaspala and Jillian Shelton and Cathy Shanholtz and Daniel Martin},
  title = {The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life},
  journal = {Rehabilitation Science},
  volume = {8},
  number = {2},
  pages = {30-38},
  doi = {10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.rs.20230802.13},
  abstract = {A convergent mixed methods study was completed examining participants’ perceived effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in regard to psychosocial functioning and quality of life. A total of 52 participants completed a quantitative survey and seven of them completed a qualitative interview using a phenomenological research approach. The aim of this study was to determine how participation in EAT affected participants’ perceptions of their quality of life. Participants generally reported benefits in psychosocial outcomes including self-esteem, confidence, independence, and social skills. Furthermore, participants reported quality of life benefits including anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, self-care, hope, and trust. Reports of improvements in depression, confidence, and stress levels significantly differed with age, where adults generally saw greater improvements in depression, p = .006, t (21.662) = 4.048, g = 1.14, CI 95% [0.391, 2.229] and confidence outcomes (27.2 years vs. 8 years old), p = .046, W = 7.50, rbc = 0.847, CI 95% [0.398, 0.969] over younger participants. Associations were found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Associations were also found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Finally, a logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in age was associated with increased likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms, where every year older a participant is, their likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms increases by 11%, X2 (32) = 8.174, p = .043. Themes of increased emotional regulation, increased confidence, and the influence of the context and environment were determined through the qualitative data. Results from both the quantitative and qualitative data show a positive impact on the participants’ overall quality of life and psychosocial skills.},
 year = {2023}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - The Impact of Equine-Assisted Therapy Rehabilitation Modalities on Perceived Psychosocial Functioning and Quality of Life
AU  - Madison Collins
AU  - Victoria Courtright
AU  - Mary Casilio
AU  - Caleigh Haskiell
AU  - Elizabeth Kaspala
AU  - Jillian Shelton
AU  - Cathy Shanholtz
AU  - Daniel Martin
Y1  - 2023/06/27
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
DO  - 10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
T2  - Rehabilitation Science
JF  - Rehabilitation Science
JO  - Rehabilitation Science
SP  - 30
EP  - 38
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2637-594X
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.rs.20230802.13
AB  - A convergent mixed methods study was completed examining participants’ perceived effectiveness of equine-assisted therapy (EAT) in regard to psychosocial functioning and quality of life. A total of 52 participants completed a quantitative survey and seven of them completed a qualitative interview using a phenomenological research approach. The aim of this study was to determine how participation in EAT affected participants’ perceptions of their quality of life. Participants generally reported benefits in psychosocial outcomes including self-esteem, confidence, independence, and social skills. Furthermore, participants reported quality of life benefits including anxiety, depression, stress, well-being, self-care, hope, and trust. Reports of improvements in depression, confidence, and stress levels significantly differed with age, where adults generally saw greater improvements in depression, p = .006, t (21.662) = 4.048, g = 1.14, CI 95% [0.391, 2.229] and confidence outcomes (27.2 years vs. 8 years old), p = .046, W = 7.50, rbc = 0.847, CI 95% [0.398, 0.969] over younger participants. Associations were found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Associations were also found between the length of time in weeks participating in all of the forms of EAT and improvements in independence, p = .024, rt (52) = .213 and social skills, p = .037, rt (52) = .222. Finally, a logistic regression analysis revealed that an increase in age was associated with increased likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms, where every year older a participant is, their likelihood of reporting improvements in depression symptoms increases by 11%, X2 (32) = 8.174, p = .043. Themes of increased emotional regulation, increased confidence, and the influence of the context and environment were determined through the qualitative data. Results from both the quantitative and qualitative data show a positive impact on the participants’ overall quality of life and psychosocial skills.
VL  - 8
IS  - 2
ER  -

Copy | Download