Important elements in farm animal-assisted interventions for persons with clinical depression: a qualitative interview study.
OBJECTIVE
The main aim of this study was to obtain participants' own experience of a farm animal-assisted intervention, and what they perceived as important elements in relation to their mental health.


METHODS
A qualitative study, inspired by a phenomenological-hermeneutical perspective was conducted. Eight persons with clinical depression who had completed a 12-week farm animal-assisted intervention at a dairy farm participated in thematic interviews between May and June 2009.


RESULTS
The intervention was regarded as a positive experience for the participants. The analyses revealed that central elements in the intervention were the possibility to experience an ordinary work life, but also the importance of a distraction to their illness. Furthermore, the flexibility of the intervention made it possible to adjust the intervention to the participants' shifting reality and was thereby a key element in farm animal-assisted intervention. The flexibility and adapted work tasks were important elements that the participants associated with their experience of coping. A model showing the interaction between the different elements reported as important by the participants was constructed.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that a farm animal-assisted intervention could be a supplement in mental health rehabilitation. All the elements in our model could possibly influence positively on mental health.
Norwegian University of Life Sciences, Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences, Research Group of Nature, Health and Quality of Life , Ås, Norway. ingeborg.pedersen@umb.no
Ingeborg
I
Pedersen
Camilla
C
Ihlebæk
Marit
M
Kirkevold
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D056447:Animal Assisted Therapy; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D003863:Depression / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D036301:Qualitative Research