The Effects of Animal‐Assisted Therapy on Adolescent and Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Study Based on Caregivers' Perspectives.
Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with intellectual disabilities often face significant challenges in emotional regulation, social participation, and daily functioning. Animal‐assisted therapy (AAT) has emerged as a complementary intervention that may enhance psychosocial outcomes and...
| Publicado en: | Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences Vol. 39; no. 3; pp. 1 - 12 |
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| Autores principales: | , , |
| Formato: | research tables/charts Journal Article |
| Publicado: |
Wiley-Blackwell
Sep2025
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| Acceso en línea: | Ver este registro en EBSCOhost |
| fields | @attributes: recordID: 1 pdfLink: plink: https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=ccm&AN=188311669&site=ehost-live header: @attributes: shortDbName: ccm uiTerm: 188311669 longDbName: CINAHL Complete uiTag: AN controlInfo: bkinfo: dissinfo: jinfo: jid: 02839318 BD4 jtl: Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences issn: 02839318 maglogo: Y pubinfo: dt: Sep2025 vid: 39 iid: 3 pid: 480 pub: Wiley-Blackwell place: Malden, Massachusetts artinfo: ui: 188311669 188311669 188311669 10.1111/scs.70117 188311669 ppf: 1 ppct: 11 formats: fmt: – @attributes: type: T – @attributes: type: P tig: atl: The Effects of Animal‐Assisted Therapy on Adolescent and Young Adults With Intellectual Disabilities: A Qualitative Study Based on Caregivers' Perspectives. aug: au: Yurdadön, Nihan Bertan, İpek Şahin, Remziye Semerci affil: The Support Center for Disabled Children and their Families (EÇADEM), Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey sug: subj: Pet Therapy Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Caregiver Attitudes Activities of Daily Living Emotional Regulation Social Skills Quality of Life Social Integration Treatment Outcomes Evaluation Human Male Female Adolescence Adult Descriptive Statistics Descriptive Research Phenomenological Research Focus Groups Semi-Structured Interview Turkiye Data Analysis Software Thematic Analysis Anxiety Therapy Stress, Psychological Therapy Cognition Self Concept Confidence Interpersonal Relations Group Dynamics Empathy Accountability Communication Attention Motor Skills Purposive Sample Adolescent: 13-18 years Adult: 19-44 years Male Female ab: Background: Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with intellectual disabilities often face significant challenges in emotional regulation, social participation, and daily functioning. Animal‐assisted therapy (AAT) has emerged as a complementary intervention that may enhance psychosocial outcomes and promote social integration in this population. This study aimed to explore the effects of animal‐assisted therapy on the social integration processes of adolescents and young adults with intellectual disabilities from caregivers' perspectives. Methods: The study was conducted using a descriptive phenomenological design. Data were collected through three focus group interviews with 13 caregivers at a support centre in Turkey. Researchers used a semi‐structured interview guide to facilitate the discussions and create an interactive environment with participants. Data were analysed using MAXQDA software, following the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Results: The analysis revealed three main themes and seven sub‐themes. The first main theme, 'Psychological and Social Effects of Animal‐Assisted Therapy', includes anxiety and stress management improvements, enhanced emotional awareness and self‐esteem, and increased confidence and self‐expression skills. The second main theme, 'Development of Social Skills,' highlights enhanced social interactions, group dynamics, and increased empathy and responsibility awareness. Participants noted that AAT reduced social isolation and improved group communication skills. The third main theme, 'Changes in Daily Routines and Skills', underscores noticeable advancements in attention, focus, and motor skills and improvements in daily living skills. Conclusion: The findings suggest that incorporating AAT into care programmes can enhance emotional, social, and physical outcomes for AYAs with intellectual disabilities, offering caregivers a valuable tool to support their holistic development and social integration. pubtype: Academic Journal doctype: research tables/charts Journal Article ougenre: Article language: English refInfo: holdings: @attributes: islocal: N |
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