Equine‐assisted psychotherapy with traumatized couples—Improvement of relationship quality and psychological symptoms

Abstract

Many traumatised individuals suffering from deployment related PTSD report severe problems in their relationships. Up until now, the therapeutic interventions used by the German Armed Forces have rarely targeted these problems through the integration of partners. For this reason, a Program designed specifically for couples was developed. In this prospective study equine‐assisted psychotherapy was applied to soldiers and their spouses. The study population consisted of n = 36 couples, divided in n = 20 therapy group with a inpatient equine‐assisted intervention and a 16‐couples control group. After the intervention, numerous significant improvements occurred in the therapy group in the areas of current, somatic and communication problems, depressive symptoms and partnership quality but not in the control group. PTSD was reduced significantly on the sub‐scale associated with negative thoughts. These results show that the intervention is an effective way to improve partnership quality and reduce the stressors that the partners of afflicted service members face.

Animal-assisted interventions for military families: a systematic review

“…Results suggest that equine-assisted services (EAS) may be beneficial to military families; however, the number of articles is limited, and further research is needed. The current literature suggests improvements to interpersonal relationships such as reduced relationship problems, improved relationship quality and improved communication ( 40 ). Additionally, the literature suggests potential mental health benefits including reduction of depressive symptoms, somatic symptoms, and PTSD symptoms ( 35 , 40 ).…”

“…The current literature suggests improvements to interpersonal relationships such as reduced relationship problems, improved relationship quality and improved communication ( 40 ). Additionally, the literature suggests potential mental health benefits including reduction of depressive symptoms, somatic symptoms, and PTSD symptoms ( 35 , 40 ). Qualitative findings suggest horses may act as a catalyst for emotional rehabilitation and healing and suggest social validity of the intervention ( 36 , 37 ).…”

“…Based on findings reported in the articles, negative impacts from the AAIs were minimal. The most commonly used measure was the PTSD Checklist which was incorporated in four articles (44%) (35,(38)(39)(40). The other measures that were repeated (twice) included the Patient Health Questionnaire, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Anxiety, PROMIS depression, PROMIS Social Isolation, PROMIS Companionship, PROMIS Ability to participate in social activities, Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Bradburn Scale of Psychological Wellbeing (38, 42) (Table 4).…”

Animals in Animal-Assisted Services: Are They Volunteers or Professionals?

“…In the scientific literature, many studies can be found on the positive effects of AAS on humans of different ages and different diagnoses [ 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 ]. What we know less about is what the positive experiences are for the animals.…”