Journal of Psychiatry

A retrospective quasi-experimental study of dog assisted intervention for patients with persistent mental illness

4^th Euro-Global Congress on Psychiatrists & Forensic Psychology

November 10-11, 2016 Alicante, Spain

Elizabeth Maitland

RECOVERY Assistance Dogs, UK

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Psychiatry

Abstract:

Background: This study examines whether changes in negative beliefs about oneself, others, and the world occur as a result of support group intervention aimed at preventing the development of chronic mental conditions and further explores whether changes in negative beliefs during early intervention mediate long-term changes in psychology and functioning. Methods: Forty two participants were analyzed to 12-week dog assistance programs. Changes in negative beliefs were examined from pre-intervention to post-intervention retrospectively. Results: Negative beliefs improved across the group. As expected, before intervention more severe negative beliefs were associated with higher initial trauma reactions and these negative beliefs generally improved from pre intervention to post intervention. Moreover, for the brief intervention, changes in perceptions of self and one's safety mediated longer-term changes in trauma-related symptoms. Conclusions: The present results highlight the potential importance of changes in negative beliefs in long-term adjustment with the dog assisted program.

Biography :

Email: recovery4wellbeing@gmail.com