The Meaning of Companion Animals for Children and Adolescents with Autism: The Parents' Perspective
(2015) In Anthrozoos 28(2). p.263-275- Abstract
- The aim of this study was to understand parents' perspectives on how children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) benefit from a relationship with companion animals. Parents were invited to participate in focus-group discussions. One open-ended question with follow-up questions was asked and the parents' responses were subsequently categorized. Three main themes emerged: the quality of the relationship with the companion animal; increased interaction with people; and optimization of the child's function and development. The results show that companion animals can contribute to social and behavioral development support, and improved mental health and quality of life. The children's and adolescents' interests and activities... (More)
- The aim of this study was to understand parents' perspectives on how children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) benefit from a relationship with companion animals. Parents were invited to participate in focus-group discussions. One open-ended question with follow-up questions was asked and the parents' responses were subsequently categorized. Three main themes emerged: the quality of the relationship with the companion animal; increased interaction with people; and optimization of the child's function and development. The results show that companion animals can contribute to social and behavioral development support, and improved mental health and quality of life. The children's and adolescents' interests and activities with companion animals were more social than non-social and of different quality than the restricted and repetitive activities in which children with ASD are normally engaged. Our findings describe a complementary developmental support for this vulnerable group of children and adolescents, which give them possibilities for expanded social contacts, diminished anxiety and depression, and facilitated learning. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
https://lup.lub.lu.se/record/7411495
- author
- Bystrom, Kristina M. and Lundqvist, Cristina LU
- organization
- publishing date
- 2015
- type
- Contribution to journal
- publication status
- published
- subject
- keywords
- autism spectrum disorders, child development, human-companion animal, interaction
- in
- Anthrozoos
- volume
- 28
- issue
- 2
- pages
- 263 - 275
- publisher
- Routledge
- external identifiers
-
- wos:000355041100006
- scopus:84953860266
- ISSN
- 1753-0377
- DOI
- 10.2752/089279315X14219211661813
- language
- English
- LU publication?
- yes
- id
- 3d8117ac-8f98-43c0-929c-76e33b5e0223 (old id 7411495)
- date added to LUP
- 2016-04-01 11:06:53
- date last changed
- 2022-03-12 19:58:55
@article{3d8117ac-8f98-43c0-929c-76e33b5e0223,
abstract = {{The aim of this study was to understand parents' perspectives on how children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) benefit from a relationship with companion animals. Parents were invited to participate in focus-group discussions. One open-ended question with follow-up questions was asked and the parents' responses were subsequently categorized. Three main themes emerged: the quality of the relationship with the companion animal; increased interaction with people; and optimization of the child's function and development. The results show that companion animals can contribute to social and behavioral development support, and improved mental health and quality of life. The children's and adolescents' interests and activities with companion animals were more social than non-social and of different quality than the restricted and repetitive activities in which children with ASD are normally engaged. Our findings describe a complementary developmental support for this vulnerable group of children and adolescents, which give them possibilities for expanded social contacts, diminished anxiety and depression, and facilitated learning.}},
author = {{Bystrom, Kristina M. and Lundqvist, Cristina}},
issn = {{1753-0377}},
keywords = {{autism spectrum disorders; child development; human-companion animal; interaction}},
language = {{eng}},
number = {{2}},
pages = {{263--275}},
publisher = {{Routledge}},
series = {{Anthrozoos}},
title = {{The Meaning of Companion Animals for Children and Adolescents with Autism: The Parents' Perspective}},
url = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.2752/089279315X14219211661813}},
doi = {{10.2752/089279315X14219211661813}},
volume = {{28}},
year = {{2015}},
}