Effects of Dog-Based Animal-Assisted Interventions in Prison Population: A Systematic Review.
Animals (Basel) 2020;
10:ani10112129. [PMID:
33207818 PMCID:
PMC7697666 DOI:
10.3390/ani10112129]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Animal-assisted interventions, in concrete dog-assisted intervention, have been introduced in prisons to reduce recidivism as well as to improve the well-being of prisoners. Therefore, the aim of the present systematic review is to provide an up-to-date analysis of the research on the effects of dog-based animal-assisted therapy in prison population.
METHODS
An electronic search of the literature was performed, and 20 articles were included. The PRISMA guideline methodology was employed.
RESULTS
Included studies involved a total of 1577 participants. The vast majority of protocols included activities related with dog training, dog caring, or activities, which included vocational or educational components. Duration of dog-based therapies ranged between 60 and 120 min, with the frequency being between 1 and 3 days/week. Statistically significant improvements in prisoners were observed in 13 studies.
CONCLUSIONS
Dog-based animal-assisted therapy may improve anxiety, stress, recidivism, and other social variables in male or female inmates.
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