About this Research Topic
It has been predicted that mental health problems will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally by 2030, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent. Identifying early preventative strategies, risk and protective factors, social determinants of mental health, as well as the continued development and evaluation of therapeutic interventions in both upstream and downstream contexts, are important. Expanding research into human-animal interaction (HAI) research points to the potential protective and therapeutic role of HAI (including animal-assisted interventions) for psychological health. Robust empirical research evidence is however lacking, with existing studies often remaining methodologically flawed, inconsistent, and inconclusive. Studies within HAI are largely correlational or small in design, with a lack of high-quality intervention research designs able to establish cause and effect relationships. There is also a current research need to examine the psychological mechanisms that may underly observed benefits and challenges of human-animal relationships and interventions for mental health.
The aim of this Research Topic is to publish high quality empirical research findings relating to HAIs in clinical mental health populations. Specifically, we would be interested in research that aims to develop and test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of evidence-, protocol-based animal-assisted interventions to improve mental health outcomes in populations across the lifespan. Manuscripts addressing common methodological challenges (e.g., relating to suitable control groups and sample sizes), potential underlying mechanisms, and aspects relating to the animal partner (e.g., animal welfare and risk monitoring) would be particularly suited to support the development of evidence-based national and international protocols and guidelines, clinical practice and decision-making, e.g. related to commissioning of animal-assisted interventions and funding of further research in the field.
This Research Topic aims to showcase rigorous interdisciplinary research into the benefits and risks of human-animal interactions (HAI) for mental health populations in clinical contexts across the lifespan. There is particular interest in work that focuses on inpatient and outpatient populations with severe mental health illness (SMI), adults and children/young people with neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism spectrum disorder), adults with dementia, and those diagnosed with common mental disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) or PTSD within in community settings. Rigorous research examining the mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic effects of human-animal interaction (e.g., social neuroscience, psychobiology, attachment theory), randomized controlled trials assessing clinical and cost-effectiveness, and manuscripts detailing the development of protocols for interventions/training are encouraged. Theoretical papers, lived experience work, or instrument development papers are also welcomed. Representation of a range of animal species involved in the interventions is desirable.
The aim of this Research Topic is to publish high quality empirical research findings relating to HAIs in clinical mental health populations. Specifically, we would be interested in research that aims to develop and test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of evidence-, protocol-based animal-assisted interventions to improve mental health outcomes in populations across the lifespan. Manuscripts addressing common methodological challenges (e.g., relating to suitable control groups and sample sizes), potential underlying mechanisms, and aspects relating to the animal partner (e.g., animal welfare and risk monitoring) would be particularly suited to support the development of evidence-based national and international protocols and guidelines, clinical practice and decision-making, e.g. related to commissioning of animal-assisted interventions and funding of further research in the field.
This Research Topic aims to showcase rigorous interdisciplinary research into the benefits and risks of human-animal interactions (HAI) for mental health populations in clinical contexts across the lifespan. There is particular interest in work that focuses on inpatient and outpatient populations with severe mental health illness (SMI), adults and children/young people with neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism spectrum disorder), adults with dementia, and those diagnosed with common mental disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) or PTSD within in community settings. Rigorous research examining the mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic effects of human-animal interaction (e.g., social neuroscience, psychobiology, attachment theory), randomized controlled trials assessing clinical and cost-effectiveness, and manuscripts detailing the development of protocols for interventions/training are encouraged. Theoretical papers, lived experience work, or instrument development papers are also welcomed. Representation of a range of animal species involved in the interventions is desirable.
Keywords: Animal-assisted therapies, ; Companion animals, Human-Animal Interaction, Mental Health, Pet ownership
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