Animal-Assisted Intervention: An Effectiveness Study Using Qualitative and Quantitative Measures on Offenders With Mental Illnesses in Hong Kong
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 招募中
- 入组人数
- 156
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Change in common psychopathology as measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items
研究概览
简要总结
Mental health concerns such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress are particularly prevalent among incarcerated individuals and are considered risk factors for recidivism. Leveraging the natural human-animal bond, animal-assisted intervention (AAI) offers a less threatening alternative to engage incarcerated individuals and address their mental health needs. As an initial effort to help promote rehabilitative security in Hong Kong, the current study examines the acceptability and effectiveness of a brief animal-assisted program among offenders in local secured facilities.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Na
- 干预模型
- Single Group
- 主要目的
- Treatment
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 18 Years 至 —（Adult, Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 是
入选标准
- •persons-in-custody
- •aged 18 or older
- •understand Cantonese
排除标准
- •an allergy, a fear, or a dislike toward dogs
- •a history of aggression toward animals
- •a criminal history involving animals
- •a history of neurodevelopmental disorders
- •active psychosis or mania
- •active suicidality
研究组 & 干预措施
Treatment
Participants are assigned to a brief animal-assisted intervention that is offered on a group basis across four sessions. Each of the four sessions lasts approximately 60 minutes. In addition to questionnaire data prior to and after the treatment, participants will provide physiological and questionnaire data at both the beginning and the end of each session.
干预措施: Animal-Assisted Intervention (Behavioral)
结局指标
主要结局
Change in common psychopathology as measured with the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items
时间窗: At the beginning of each sessions, approximately one week after completion of the treatment, and one month after the treatment
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale - 21 Items (DASS21; Lovibond \& Lovibond, 1995) is a self-report measure of common mental health concerns. The three subscales are each measured with seven items, using a 4-point Likert scale from 0 = Did not apply to me at all to 3 = Applied to me very much or most of the time. Scores are summed for each subscale, with higher scores indicating more severe levels of emotional symptoms.
Change in emotional state as measured with the International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form
时间窗: At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions
International Positive and Negative Affect Schedule Short Form (I-PANAS-SF; Thompson, 2007) is an adapted version of the PANAS-SF (Watson et al., 1988) and designed specifically for non-English speaking individuals. Using a 5-point Likert scale from 1 = Never to 5 = Always, individuals rate on their experience of five positive affect and five negative affect in the present moment. Scores are summed for each subscale, with higher scores indicating higher levels of positive or negative affect.
Change in heart rate variability
时间窗: At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions
Heart rate data are collected via photoplethysmogram signals and then transformed into heart rate variability with artifacts corrected through automated detection using the Kubios HRV Scientific software (Kubios, 2024).
Change in skin conductance
时间窗: At the beginning and at the end of each session, up to a total of four sessions
Both phasic and tonic skin conductance data are captured with a galvanic skin response sensor
次要结局
- Change in disciplinary offences and privileges during incarceration(At each session, up to a total of four sessions, and within a week after the treatment)
- Change in trauma-related psychopathology as measured with the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist for DSM-5(Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment)
- Change in empathy as measured with the Brief Interpersonal Reactivity Index(Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment)
- Change in self-efficacy as measured with the New General Self-Efficacy Scale(Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment)
- Change in psychological flexibility as measured with the Multidimensional Psychological Flexibility Inventory(Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment)
- Change in openness to treatment as measured with the Attitudes Toward Seeking Professional Psychological Help(Before treatment, within a week after treatment, and one month after treatment if feasible)
- Change in social interactions(At each session, up to a total of four sessions, and within a week after the treatment)
- Subjective experience with the treatment(Within a month after the treatment)
研究者
Amanda Kingsze CHEUNG
Research Assistant Professor
The University of Hong Kong