Randomized Trial Examining Effects of Animal Assisted Intervention and Stress Related Symptoms on College Students’ Learning and Study Skills

Patricia Pendry, Alexa M. Carr, Nancy R. Gee and Jaymie L. Vandagriff
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Patricia Pendry: Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
Alexa M. Carr: Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA
Nancy R. Gee: Center for Human-Animal Interaction, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23298, USA
Jaymie L. Vandagriff: Department of Human Development, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, USA

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 6, 1-18

Abstract: Animal Visitation Programs (AVPs) targeting college students’ stress and academic success have increased, despite limited research on academic outcomes. This randomized controlled trial ( N = 349) examined the effects of incorporating levels of Human–animal Interaction (HAI) (0%, 50% or 100%) with therapy dogs in a four-week academic stress management program. Conditions included (1) Academic Stress Management (ASM) content only (0% HAI), (2) Human–animal Interaction only (100% HAI) and (3) equal combinations of ASM content and HAI (50% HAI). Intention-to-treat (ITT) analyses examined the effects of students’ risk status ( N = 146; depression, anxiety, perceived stress, worry) and treatment condition on students’ learning and study strategies at posttest and follow-up. The results showed interactions between condition and risk status demonstrating higher posttest levels of WILL (i.e., anxiety, attitude, motivation) ( Β = 0.582, p = 0.005) and SELFREGULATION (i.e., concentration, self-testing, study aids, time management) ( Β = 0.501, p = 0.031) for at-risk students receiving equal combinations of HAI and content presentations. Moderation effects remained at follow-up ( Β = 0.626, p = 0.005; Β = 0.630, p = 0.007). At-risk students receiving only HAI (100%) also showed higher levels of WILL at posttest ( Β = 0.481, p = 0.021) and follow up ( Β = 0.490, p = 0.038). University administrators should consider providing at-risk students with targeted programs with varying levels of HAI and ASM content, depending on the targeted academic outcome.

Keywords: university-based animal-assisted intervention; academic skills; risk status (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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