Hippotherapy for Children with ASD: Heart Rate Variability and Emotion Dysregulation
Kristen Springer,
Emily Boynton,
Paige Hamilton,
Hannah Hamsher,
Maureen Piotrowski,
Kelly McClintock,
Daniel Martin
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, July 2022
Pages:
101-112
Received:
21 April 2022
Accepted:
7 May 2022
Published:
29 July 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20221104.11
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Abstract: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to have lower heart rate variability (HRV) and higher rates of emotional dysregulation when compared to their non-disabled peers. Evidence suggests hippotherapy increases individuals with ASD’s HRV and improves their emotion regulation skills. Accordingly, the current study examined hippotherapy’s influence on emotion dysregulation and HRV in children diagnosed with ASD. Participants included two male children, ages seven and eight, who attended six weeks of hippotherapy at Ride-on-Ranch, a therapeutic riding center in Lovettsville, VA. This single-subject design study used a concurrent mixed methods design, collecting quantitative and qualitative data simultaneously. The quantitative data included emotion dysregulation scores collected from the Emotion Dysregulation Inventory (EDI) and HRV scores from each participant. Pre- and post-test interviews, collected from the participants’ caregivers, measured their perceptions of their child’s emotion dysregulation. Both participants experienced statistically significant improvements in emotion dysregulation and marginally significant improvements in HRV. These results were consistent with the caregiver interviews, as the caregivers reported significant differences in their children’s emotion dysregulation after hippotherapy intervention. Based on these findings, the present study may contribute to a deeper understanding of alternative therapies for children with ASD to improve one’s physical, cognitive, and emotional states.
Abstract: Individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to have lower heart rate variability (HRV) and higher rates of emotional dysregulation when compared to their non-disabled peers. Evidence suggests hippotherapy increases individuals with ASD’s HRV and improves their emotion regulation skills. Accordingly, the current study examined hippotherapy’...
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Self-Concept and Parenting Style on Prosocial Behavior Among Bedesa New Generation Volunteers in Bedesa Town, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 11, Issue 4, July 2022
Pages:
113-121
Received:
21 July 2022
Accepted:
15 August 2022
Published:
31 August 2022
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajap.20221104.12
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Views:
Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between prosocial behaviors, self-concept and parenting style on Bedesa New Generation volunteers. To this end, correlational research design was employed in carrying out this study. The target population was Bedesa New Generation volunteers at Bedesa Towns. Eighteen volunteers were sampled from the target population through stratified random sampling technique. The required data were collected through questionnaire. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the quantitative data that have been collected through close ended questionnaires. The findings of the study revealed that, that majority of the volunteers are high in prosocial behavior and there was significant positive correlation between age and prosocial behavior. That means when age increases the tendency of becoming prosocial also increases. Similarly, Self concept and Parenting style also have strong positive relationship with Prosocial behaviour. On the other hand, prosocial behaviour not significantly correlated with level of education. there was no statistically significant sex difference between male and female volunteers respondents in their prosocial behaviour. Parenting style and Self concept contributed 20.7% for the development of prosocial behavior of volunteers. the independent variable ‘parenting style’ has the strongest positive predictive power (β = .195) on the dependent variable ‘prosocial behaviour’; the independent variable ‘self concept’ has strong positive predictive power (β = .190) on the dependent variable ‘prosocial behaviour’. Though all independent variables have a statistically significant weighting on the dependent variable, the beta weighting of the independent variable ‘parenting style’ (β = .195) is higher than that of the independent variable ‘self concept’ (β = .190) on the dependent variable ‘prosocial behaviour’; this means that ‘parenting style and self concept’ is a stronger predictor of ‘prosocial behaviour sequentially. It was recommended that families, NGOs, private and governmental organizations at local levels should support and facilitate to maintain and enhance existing prosocial actions.
Abstract: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between prosocial behaviors, self-concept and parenting style on Bedesa New Generation volunteers. To this end, correlational research design was employed in carrying out this study. The target population was Bedesa New Generation volunteers at Bedesa Towns. Eighteen volunteers were...
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