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Evaluating the Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Anxiety Intervention With Therapy Dog Support in High School Students

Kegley, Erin
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1689674959797895

Abstract Details

2023, Specialist in Education (Ed.S.), University of Dayton, School Psychology.
Anxiety is the most prevalent mental health disorders impacting today’s children and adolescents. Based on recent studies, a growing number of young adults in the United States are being diagnosed with mental health disorders, including anxiety due to hormonal changes in combination with a need to achieve, unlimited access to technology, peer pressure, easy access to substances, and so forth. Therapy dogs are being used to intervene in schools and help students cope with symptoms related to anxiety. The present study examined the impact of incorporating a therapy dog in a mindfulness-based intervention aimed at reducing anxiety in adolescents. The study was implemented in a high school setting with three students who demonstrated elevated levels of anxiety, measured by the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children 2nd Edition. The participants rated their anxiety symptoms before and after each mindfulness intervention session using the Subject Units of Distress Scale (SUDS). A therapy dog was incorporated into sessions on an alternating schedule to examine resulting changes in the effectiveness of the intervention. Findings indicated that the therapy dog along with the mindfulness intervention reduced anxiety more than the mindfulness intervention sessions alone. Implications for incorporating school-based therapy dogs to support students who experience anxiety at school are discussed.
Elana Bernstein (Committee Chair)
Susan Davies (Committee Member)
Brenda Gerhardt (Committee Member)
66 p.
Education; Mental Health
anxiety; anxiety in schools; therapy dog support in schools; reducing anxiety with therapy dog support; therapy dogs in schools

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Kegley, E. (2023). Evaluating the Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Anxiety Intervention With Therapy Dog Support in High School Students [Electronic thesis or dissertation, University of Dayton]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1689674959797895

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Kegley, Erin. Evaluating the Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Anxiety Intervention With Therapy Dog Support in High School Students. 2023. University of Dayton, Electronic thesis or dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1689674959797895.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Kegley, Erin. "Evaluating the Impact of a Mindfulness-Based Anxiety Intervention With Therapy Dog Support in High School Students." Electronic thesis or dissertation, University of Dayton, 2023. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=dayton1689674959797895

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

dayton1689674959797895
183
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This open access ETD is published by University of Dayton and OhioLINK.