Kim Sang-Hwan
School of Animal Life Science, Hankyong National University, 327, Jungang-ro, Anseong-si 17579, Gyeongggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Institute of Applied Humanimal Science, Hankyong National University, 327, Jungang-ro, Anseong-si 17579, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Animals (Basel). 2024 Dec 10;14(24):3565. doi: 10.3390/ani14243565.
Animal-assisted activities (AAAs) effectively improve the self-esteem of infants and young children, thereby playing a significant role in their growth into adolescence. In particular, in modern society, self-esteem during childhood and adolescence can influence self-esteem during adulthood. Therefore, this study evaluates whether animal-assisted activities could improve infants' self-esteem. There were ten participants in this study, with six one-hour sessions conducted twice a week with six-year-old children. The study proceeded with one host, two assistant hosts, one animal manager, one observer, and two helper rabbits. A self-esteem test was used as the research tool. Before and after the program, the pre-and post-tests were conducted separately to confirm the effect. Animal-mediated therapy in the program resulted in reducing the average scores in certain sub-areas of self-esteem. Additionally, the average score demonstrated a statistically significant increase in other areas. This study's results showed that play programs involving animal-assisted activities can positively improve the self-esteem of infants and toddlers who develop early social skills.
动物辅助活动（AAA）能有效提高婴幼儿的自尊心，从而在他们成长到青少年阶段发挥重要作用。特别是在现代社会，童年和青少年时期的自尊心会影响成年后的自尊心。因此，本研究评估动物辅助活动是否能提高婴幼儿的自尊心。本研究有10名参与者，对6岁儿童每周进行两次，每次6个一小时的课程。该研究由一名主持人、两名助理主持人（副主持）、一名动物管理员、一名观察员和两只辅助兔子进行。使用自尊测试作为研究工具。在项目前后，分别进行前测和后测以确认效果。项目中的动物辅助治疗导致自尊某些子领域的平均得分降低。此外，平均得分在其他领域显示出统计学上的显著增加。本研究结果表明，涉及动物辅助活动的游戏项目可以积极提高具有早期社交技能的婴幼儿的自尊心。
