Effect of rabbit-assisted therapy on self - esteem, depression and happiness of orphans at Rajvithi Home for Girls

Abstract

Background : In Thailand, animal assisted therapy is a new science in the field of alternative medicine. For a long time, animals have been living closely with humans and can be source of positive emotional responses to orphans. Therefore, it could be used as an alternative therapy to help improve orphans’ mental health in terms of self - esteem, depression, and happiness.

Objectives : To study the effects of rabbit - assisted therapy on self-esteem, depression and happiness of orphans at Rajvithhi Home for Girls.

Design : Experimental research, randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Setting : Rajvithi Home for Girls in Bangkok

Materials and Methods : The sample consisted of 30 children, aged 12 - 15 years old, equally divided by random sampling into two groups: experimental and control. The 15 participants in the experimental group entered the rabbit assisted therapy program which included 10 activities in five days. The control group lived as usual and received the therapy after the trial was completed. Pre-, post-, and follow-up tests of self-esteem, depression, and happiness were conducted. The results were analyzed with Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) statistics and calculated into the effect size with Cohen’s d method.

Results : Before receiving rabbit assisted therapy, the experimental and control groups had no statistically significant mean scores of self - esteem (p = .494), depression (p = .722) and happiness (p = .288). After the therapy, the experimental group showed an increase in self - esteem scores (p = .514), decrease in depression scores (p = .001) and an increase in happiness scores (p = .003) compared to the control group. The effect size of the program was moderate for depression and small for self-esteem and happiness.

Conclusion : Animal assisted therapy could reduce depressive symptoms and improve happiness to orphans. It can also be used as an alternative therapy to promote mental health in children.