The Effect of a Dog Assisted Activity Programme on Elementary Students' Self-Esteem.

Background: The Dog Assisted Activities (DAA) programmes in schools are operating for more than three decades in various countries around the word. However, their operation and relevant research and study, is very limited currently in Greece. Aim: The initial inspiration and ultimate goal for conduc...

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Publicado en:International Journal of Caring Sciences Vol. 17; no. 1; pp. 323 - 336
Autores principales: Kleftaras, George, Diamantakos, Evangelos
Formato: research tables/charts randomized controlled trial Journal Article
Publicado: International Journal of Caring Sciences Jan-Apr2024
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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      dt: Jan-Apr2024
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        atl: The Effect of a Dog Assisted Activity Programme on Elementary Students' Self-Esteem.
      aug:
        au:
          Kleftaras, George
          Diamantakos, Evangelos
        affil: University of Thessaly, Department of Special Education, Greece
      sug:
        subj:
          Students, Elementary Psychosocial Factors
          Transitional Programs
          Dogs
          Pet Therapy
          Self Concept
          Human-Animal Interaction Evaluation
          Human
          Male
          Female
          Child
          Greece
          Schools, Elementary
          Randomized Controlled Trials
          Random Assignment
          Comparative Studies
          Questionnaires
          Self-Esteem Inventory
          Psychological Tests
          Data Analysis Software
          Descriptive Statistics
          Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test
          T-Tests
          Mann-Whitney U Test
          Pretest-Posttest Control Group Design
          Program Implementation
          Program Evaluation
          Correlational Studies
          School Mental Health Services
          Child: 6-12 years
          Male
          Female
      ab: Background: The Dog Assisted Activities (DAA) programmes in schools are operating for more than three decades in various countries around the word. However, their operation and relevant research and study, is very limited currently in Greece. Aim: The initial inspiration and ultimate goal for conducting this present study was to raise awareness and promote understanding around the implementation of DAA programmes in Greece; especially in primary education. The researchers tested the hypothesis that the students' physical interaction with a trained dog may have a positive impact on their self-esteem. Methodology: The 44 students who took part in the study participated on a voluntary basis, and were randomly allocated into two groups: the experimental (n=19), and the control group (n=25). The experimental group interacted with a trained dog while the control group attended presentations on dog training. The researchers used a standardised questionnaire to measure and then compare the students' self-esteem scores within and between the two groups. There were two times of measurement; before (Time 0) and after (Time 1) the implementation of the DAA programme. Results: The analysis of the results revealed a statistically significant difference in the self-esteem of the experimental group students(p=.002). Additionally, the self-esteem scores displayed by the experimental group students after the intervention were higher to these displayed in the control group (p=.012). Conclusions: The present study' s findings suggest that the DDA programmes may positively impact and enhance the self-esteem of school students. However, as that was the first time a study of this type was conducted in Greece, further research is needed so to better examine and investigate the effects of the DDA programmes on elementary students' well-being.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        randomized controlled trial
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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