A Focus Group Study of Equine-Assisted Activities and Therapy for Military Veterans Reintegrating Into Civilian Life

IF 1.3 4区心理学 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY Journal of Humanistic Psychology Pub Date : 2024-06-06 DOI:10.1177/00221678241256143

M. C. Highfill, Jessica Cassidy, Kathy Lee, E. W. Pollio, Vinay S. Kotamarti, Justin M. O’Brien, Rie Sharky, Katy McDonald, David Pollio, Carol S. North

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Abstract

Many veterans returning to civilian life face medical and mental health issues. As there is a stigma of using mental health services, equine-assisted activities and therapy (EAAT) has been considered a nonconventional intervention to support the mental health and well-being of veterans. In this qualitative study, 14 focus groups with 67 participants and program volunteers and staff of a veteran-led EAAT program were conducted to explore perspectives among current and past participants in the program. Five themes emerged: (a) benefits of EAAT, (b) connections with horses, (c) program engagement, (d) equestrian experience related to military experience, and (e) recommendations for the program. In spite of emotional and physical challenges, they indicated that they felt stronger, confident, and fulfilled. The participants developed meaningful relationships with the horses and developed horsemanship skills. Some participants connected their involvement in the program to their past military experience based on interactions with peers in a group setting. Recommendations made by the participants included efforts to increase community awareness and expand the program by including families and adding therapeutic and aftercare components. Findings from this study suggest relevance for care of veterans reintegrating to civilian life from the point of view of individuals participating in EAAT.

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针对退伍军人重返平民生活的马术辅助活动和治疗的焦点小组研究

许多重返平民生活的退伍军人都面临着医疗和心理健康问题。由于使用心理健康服务存在耻辱感，马术辅助活动和治疗（EAAT）被认为是支持退伍军人心理健康和福祉的一种非常规干预措施。在这项定性研究中，我们与退伍军人主导的马术辅助活动和治疗项目的 67 名参与者、项目志愿者和工作人员进行了 14 次焦点小组讨论，以探讨该项目当前和过去参与者的观点。研究提出了五个主题：（a）EAAT 的益处；（b）与马匹的联系；（c）项目参与度；（d）与从军经历相关的马术体验；以及（e）对项目的建议。尽管面临情感和身体上的挑战，但他们表示自己感到更加坚强、自信和充实。参与者与马建立了有意义的关系，并发展了骑术技能。一些参与者根据在小组环境中与同伴的互动，将他们参与计划的经历与他们过去的从军经历联系起来。参与者提出的建议包括努力提高社区意识，通过将家庭纳入计划并增加治疗和后续护理内容来扩大计划。本研究的结果表明，从参加 EAAT 的个人角度来看，对重新融入平民生活的退伍军人的护理具有现实意义。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Humanistic Psychology PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY-

CiteScore

5.40

自引率

5.90%

发文量

期刊介绍： The Journal of Humanistic Psychology is an interdisciplinary forum for contributions, controversies and diverse statements pertaining to humanistic psychology. It addresses personal growth, interpersonal encounters, social problems and philosophical issues. An international journal of human potential, self-actualization, the search for meaning and social change, the Journal of Humanistic Psychology was founded by Abraham Maslow and Anthony Sutich in 1961. It is the official journal of the Association for Humanistic Psychology.