Frederick Karen E, Ivey Hatz Julie, Lanning Beth
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, 900 College, Box 8367, Belton, TX, 76513, USA.
Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA.
Community Ment Health J. 2015 Oct;51(7):809-17. doi: 10.1007/s10597-015-9836-x. Epub 2015 Feb 20.
Equine-assisted learning (EAL) is an experiential modality which utilizes horses to provide a unique learning experience for personal growth. Research by Damon et al. (Appl Dev Sci 7:119-128, 2003) suggests a positive relationship between hope and positive developmental trajectories. Hagen et al. (Am J Orthopsychiatr 75:211-219, 2005) showed hope to be a protective factor associated with adaptive functioning in at-risk youth. Ashby et al. (J Couns Dev 89:131-139, 2011) found a significant inverse relationship between hope and depression: as hope increases, depression decreases. The current study investigates the impact of a non-riding EAL curriculum entitled L.A.S.S.O. (Leading Adolescents to Successful School Outcomes) on levels of hope and depression in at-risk youth. The study uses an experimental design with longitudinal, repeated measures. Participants were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Participants in the treatment received 5 weeks of EAL, while participants in the control group received treatment as usual. Repeated measures ANOVA of participants' levels of hope and depression showed statistically significant improvements in the treatment group as compared with the control group. Even a brief (5-week) intervention of EAL had a positive impact on the lives and attitudes of at-risk adolescents, with increased levels of hope and decreased levels of depression.
马辅助学习（EAL）是一种体验式模式，它利用马匹为个人成长提供独特的学习体验。达蒙等人（《应用发展科学》7:119 - 128，2003年）的研究表明希望与积极的发展轨迹之间存在正相关关系。哈根等人（《美国儿童与青少年精神病学杂志》75:211 - 219，2005年）表明希望是与高危青少年适应性功能相关的一个保护因素。阿什比等人（《咨询与发展杂志》89:131 - 139，2011年）发现希望与抑郁之间存在显著的负相关关系：随着希望增加，抑郁减少。本研究调查了一门名为L.A.S.S.O.（引导青少年取得成功学业成果）的非骑马EAL课程对高危青少年希望水平和抑郁水平的影响。该研究采用纵向重复测量的实验设计。参与者被随机分配到治疗组和对照组。治疗组的参与者接受了5周的EAL，而对照组的参与者接受常规治疗。对参与者希望水平和抑郁水平的重复测量方差分析显示，与对照组相比，治疗组有统计学上的显著改善。即使是短暂的（5周）EAL干预也对高危青少年的生活和态度产生了积极影响，并提高了希望水平，降低了抑郁水平。
