Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Building up bit by bit, parent's experiences of equine-assisted intervention among children and adolescents with mental illness : a grounded theory study

Carlsson, Ing-Marie ; Bräutigam Ewe, Marie ; Nymberg, Peter LU orcid and Jormfeldt, Henrika LU (2024) In International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being 19(1). p.1-10
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mental ill health among children and adolescents has increased worldwide. Mental health difficulties from a young age are associated with school absence and educational underachievement. A holistic perspective of treatments besides medical treatment is essential Thus, there is a need for research regarding equine-assisted intervention (EAI).

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to understand the outcomes of an equine-assisted intervention for children and adolescents with mental ill health from the perspectives of parents and close relatives.

METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design informed by Charmaz's Grounded Theory, with a purposive sample including six in-depth interviews.

RESULTS: The... (More)

BACKGROUND: Mental ill health among children and adolescents has increased worldwide. Mental health difficulties from a young age are associated with school absence and educational underachievement. A holistic perspective of treatments besides medical treatment is essential Thus, there is a need for research regarding equine-assisted intervention (EAI).

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to understand the outcomes of an equine-assisted intervention for children and adolescents with mental ill health from the perspectives of parents and close relatives.

METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design informed by Charmaz's Grounded Theory, with a purposive sample including six in-depth interviews.

RESULTS: The theory "building up bit by bit" was constructed, explaining the recognition that their children/adolescents were built up bit by bit and created a stronger self-identity. The participants referred to changes in the child's or adolescent's way of being and emotional regulation, which constituted building blocks leading to the child's or adolescent's 1. increased Harmony. 2. enhanced Self-identity, and 3. improved Capability.

CONCLUSION: Parents and close relatives experienced that their child or adolescent was built up bit by bit and gained a stronger foundation to stand on. This led to increased harmony in everyday life with stronger self-worth, better performance, and reduced school absenteeism.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
keywords
Humans, Adolescent, Child, Mental Disorders/therapy, Male, Female, Equine-Assisted Therapy, Qualitative Research, Grounded Theory, Parents/psychology, Animals, Horses, Self Concept, Adult, Mental Health
in
International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being
volume
19
issue
1
article number
2354945
pages
1 - 10
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • scopus:85193537814
  • pmid:38758980
ISSN
1748-2631
DOI
10.1080/17482631.2024.2354945
language
English
LU publication?
no
id
f52df0b9-94ac-406c-805f-90208fbcefc5
date added to LUP
2024-06-12 21:02:19
date last changed
2024-06-13 07:17:28
@article{f52df0b9-94ac-406c-805f-90208fbcefc5,
  abstract     = {{<p>BACKGROUND: Mental ill health among children and adolescents has increased worldwide. Mental health difficulties from a young age are associated with school absence and educational underachievement. A holistic perspective of treatments besides medical treatment is essential Thus, there is a need for research regarding equine-assisted intervention (EAI).</p><p>PURPOSE: The present study aimed to understand the outcomes of an equine-assisted intervention for children and adolescents with mental ill health from the perspectives of parents and close relatives.</p><p>METHODS: This study used a qualitative research design informed by Charmaz's Grounded Theory, with a purposive sample including six in-depth interviews.</p><p>RESULTS: The theory "building up bit by bit" was constructed, explaining the recognition that their children/adolescents were built up bit by bit and created a stronger self-identity. The participants referred to changes in the child's or adolescent's way of being and emotional regulation, which constituted building blocks leading to the child's or adolescent's 1. increased Harmony. 2. enhanced Self-identity, and 3. improved Capability.</p><p>CONCLUSION: Parents and close relatives experienced that their child or adolescent was built up bit by bit and gained a stronger foundation to stand on. This led to increased harmony in everyday life with stronger self-worth, better performance, and reduced school absenteeism.</p>}},
  author       = {{Carlsson, Ing-Marie and Bräutigam Ewe, Marie and Nymberg, Peter and Jormfeldt, Henrika}},
  issn         = {{1748-2631}},
  keywords     = {{Humans; Adolescent; Child; Mental Disorders/therapy; Male; Female; Equine-Assisted Therapy; Qualitative Research; Grounded Theory; Parents/psychology; Animals; Horses; Self Concept; Adult; Mental Health}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  month        = {{05}},
  number       = {{1}},
  pages        = {{1--10}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being}},
  title        = {{Building up bit by bit, parent's experiences of equine-assisted intervention among children and adolescents with mental illness : a grounded theory study}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2354945}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/17482631.2024.2354945}},
  volume       = {{19}},
  year         = {{2024}},
}