Ingeborg Pedersen1, Camilla Ihlebæk, Marit Kirkevold. 1. Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Research Group of Nature, Health and Quality of Life , Ås, Norway. ingeborg.pedersen@umb.no
Abstract
PURPOSE: The main aim of this study was to obtain participants' own experience of a farm animal-assisted intervention, and what they perceived as important elements in relation to their mental health. METHOD: A qualitative study, inspired by a phenomenological-hermeneutical perspective was conducted. Eight persons with clinical depression who had completed a 12-week farm animal-assisted intervention at a dairy farm participated in thematic interviews between May and June 2009. RESULTS: The intervention was regarded as a positive experience for the participants. The analyses revealed that central elements in the intervention were the possibility to experience an ordinary work life, but also the importance of a distraction to their illness. Furthermore, the flexibility of the intervention made it possible to adjust the intervention to the participants' shifting reality and was thereby a key element in farm animal-assisted intervention. The flexibility and adapted work tasks were important elements that the participants associated with their experience of coping. A model showing the interaction between the different elements reported as important by the participants was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a farm animal-assisted intervention could be a supplement in mental health rehabilitation. All the elements in our model could possibly influence positively on mental health.
PURPOSE: The main aim of this study was to obtain participants' own experience of a farm animal-assisted intervention, and what they perceived as important elements in relation to their mental health. METHOD: A qualitative study, inspired by a phenomenological-hermeneutical perspective was conducted. Eight persons with clinical depression who had completed a 12-week farm animal-assisted intervention at a dairy farm participated in thematic interviews between May and June 2009. RESULTS: The intervention was regarded as a positive experience for the participants. The analyses revealed that central elements in the intervention were the possibility to experience an ordinary work life, but also the importance of a distraction to their illness. Furthermore, the flexibility of the intervention made it possible to adjust the intervention to the participants' shifting reality and was thereby a key element in farm animal-assisted intervention. The flexibility and adapted work tasks were important elements that the participants associated with their experience of coping. A model showing the interaction between the different elements reported as important by the participants was constructed. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that a farm animal-assisted intervention could be a supplement in mental health rehabilitation. All the elements in our model could possibly influence positively on mental health.
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