Exploring Australian university students' and staff members' perspectives on an animal-assisted intervention as a health promotion initiative on campus

IF 1.4 4区医学 Q3 PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH

Health Promotion Journal of Australia Pub Date : 2023-12-03 DOI:10.1002/hpja.833

Emily Cooke, Claire Henderson-Wilson, Elyse Warner, Anthony D. LaMontagne

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Issue Addressed

The university campus environment is unique and complex, with students and staff members experiencing increasing levels of stress and anxiety over time. One intervention being used internationally to alleviate stress and anxiety is an Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI). This research aimed to explore Australian university students' and staff members' perspectives on an AAI prior to implementation.

Methods

This study used an explanatory mixed methods approach. Student participants were recruited through posts on a university's subject sites and via social media. University staff member participants were recruited through emails from managers or department newsletters. Data were collected through an online anonymous survey and subsequent semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with SPSS and qualitative data were analysed via thematic analysis.

Results

Data included 344 survey responses and 45 semi-structured interviews. Survey responses indicated a large majority of participants believe an AAI could promote health on campus. This was due to the range of benefits participants felt an AAI could have on campus (such as reducing stress and anxiety, providing opportunities for a break from work or study, social benefits, and enhancing the university environment). In interviews, participants suggested an AAI could contribute towards a positive university environment and help promote other services on campus; provided it considers those not interested in participating.

So What?

If implemented sustainably, an AAI has potential to contribute towards a positive university environment for both staff and students, by potentially reducing the high rates of stress and anxiety the university community are currently experiencing. An AAI could also help to raise awareness of other health services on campus, further contributing towards promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.

Abstract Image

查看原文本刊更多论文

探索澳大利亚大学学生和工作人员对动物辅助干预作为校园健康促进倡议的观点。

问题解决:大学校园环境独特而复杂，随着时间的推移，学生和教职员工的压力和焦虑程度越来越高。国际上用于缓解压力和焦虑的一种干预措施是动物辅助干预(AAI)。本研究旨在探讨澳大利亚大学学生和工作人员在实施AAI之前的观点。方法:本研究采用解释性混合方法。学生参与者是通过大学主题网站和社交媒体上的帖子招募的。大学教职员工参与者是通过管理人员的电子邮件或部门新闻通讯招募的。数据是通过在线匿名调查和随后的半结构化访谈收集的。定量资料采用SPSS软件分析，定性资料采用专题分析。结果:数据包括344份调查回复和45份半结构化访谈。调查结果显示，大多数参与者认为AAI可以促进校园健康。这是由于参与者认为AAI可以在校园内带来一系列好处(例如减少压力和焦虑，提供工作或学习休息的机会，社会福利，以及改善大学环境)。在访谈中，参加者认为书院可以营造积极的大学环境，并有助推广其他校园服务;前提是考虑那些对参与不感兴趣的人。那又怎样?如果可持续地实施，AAI有可能通过潜在地减少大学社区目前所经历的高压力和焦虑率，为教职员工和学生创造一个积极的大学环境。AAI还可以帮助提高对校园其他健康服务的认识，进一步促进积极的心理健康和福祉。

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

Health Promotion Journal of Australia PUBLIC, ENVIRONMENTAL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH-

CiteScore

3.10

自引率

10.50%

发文量

115

期刊介绍： The purpose of the Health Promotion Journal of Australia is to facilitate communication between researchers, practitioners, and policymakers involved in health promotion activities. Preference for publication is given to practical examples of policies, theories, strategies and programs which utilise educational, organisational, economic and/or environmental approaches to health promotion. The journal also publishes brief reports discussing programs, professional viewpoints, and guidelines for practice or evaluation methodology. The journal features articles, brief reports, editorials, perspectives, "of interest", viewpoints, book reviews and letters.