Abstract
We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for reducing depressive symptoms in humans. To be included in the meta-analysis, studies had to demonstrate random assignment, include a comparison/control group, use AAA or AAT, use a self-report measure of depression, and report sufficient information to calculate effect sizes, a statistical standardization of the strength of a treatment effect. Five studies were identified for analysis. The aggregate effect size for these studies was of medium magnitude and statistically significant, indicating that AAA/AAT are associated with fewer depressive symptoms. This analysis revealed gaps in the research on AAA/AAT, which we attempted to identify in order to better understand the factors that make AAA and AAT effective at reducing depression.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 167-180 |
| Number of pages | 14 |
| Journal | Anthrozoos |
| Volume | 20 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2007 |
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Keywords
- Animal-assisted activities
- Animal-assisted therapy
- Depression
- Meta-analysis
- Pet therapy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- veterinary(all)
- Anthropology
- Environmental Science (miscellaneous)
Cite this
Do animal-assisted activities effectively treat depression? a meta-analysis. / Souter, Megan A.; Miller, Michelle.
In: Anthrozoos, Vol. 20, No. 2, 06.2007, p. 167-180.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Do animal-assisted activities effectively treat depression? a meta-analysis
AU - Souter, Megan A.
AU - Miller, Michelle
PY - 2007/6
Y1 - 2007/6
N2 - We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for reducing depressive symptoms in humans. To be included in the meta-analysis, studies had to demonstrate random assignment, include a comparison/control group, use AAA or AAT, use a self-report measure of depression, and report sufficient information to calculate effect sizes, a statistical standardization of the strength of a treatment effect. Five studies were identified for analysis. The aggregate effect size for these studies was of medium magnitude and statistically significant, indicating that AAA/AAT are associated with fewer depressive symptoms. This analysis revealed gaps in the research on AAA/AAT, which we attempted to identify in order to better understand the factors that make AAA and AAT effective at reducing depression.
AB - We conducted a meta-analysis to determine the effectiveness of animal-assisted activities (AAA) and animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for reducing depressive symptoms in humans. To be included in the meta-analysis, studies had to demonstrate random assignment, include a comparison/control group, use AAA or AAT, use a self-report measure of depression, and report sufficient information to calculate effect sizes, a statistical standardization of the strength of a treatment effect. Five studies were identified for analysis. The aggregate effect size for these studies was of medium magnitude and statistically significant, indicating that AAA/AAT are associated with fewer depressive symptoms. This analysis revealed gaps in the research on AAA/AAT, which we attempted to identify in order to better understand the factors that make AAA and AAT effective at reducing depression.
KW - Animal-assisted activities
KW - Animal-assisted therapy
KW - Depression
KW - Meta-analysis
KW - Pet therapy
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34447629935&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=34447629935&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2752/175303707X207954
DO - 10.2752/175303707X207954
M3 - Article
VL - 20
SP - 167
EP - 180
JO - Anthrozoos
JF - Anthrozoos
SN - 0892-7936
IS - 2
ER -