Animal-Assisted Therapy for Abused Children and Adolescent: A Systematic Literature Review

• Main Authors: TSAI, HUAI-CHEN, 蔡懷貞
• Other Authors: CHENG, CHIH-TAO
• Format: Others
• Language: zh-TW
• Published: 2017
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/7kw8ag

碩士 === 國防大學政治作戰學院 === 心理碩士班 === 105 === Background: The number of abused children and adolescent in Taiwan is constantly increasing, while household pets are also increasing. There are many international studies found that animals have physical and psychological benefits for abused children and adolescent, but the studies of this field in Taiwan are still lacking. Purpose: Through a standardized systematic literature review, I aim to explore the status quo, efficacy, and the background theory of animal-assisted therapy for abused children and adolescent. Methods: A systematic literature review method incorporating the E&E (Explanation and Elaboration) criteria proposed by PRISMA, I conducted literature screening and inclusion. The contents of the selected study samples were analyzed by coding, making comparison through tables, summaries, and conclusions. Results: A total of 9 literature samples were included. The efficacy of abused children and adolescent after animal-assisted therapy includes (1) improvement of negative mental state, (2) an increase of positive behaviors; a decrease of problematic behaviors, (3) improved self-evaluation, (4) establishing therapeutic relationships. Conclusion: The development of Animal-assisted therapy for abused children and adolescent in Taiwan requires more research. In the sampled studies, mostly from international researchers, the psychophysiological effects and functional improvements gained from animal-assisted therapy for abused children and adolescent are worthy of researchers’ attention and positive application.