Healing paws: animals in the work-place assisting with stress management
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Authors
Carstens, Michelle Santos
Issue Date
2013-06
Type
Dissertation
Language
en
Keywords
Occupational stress , Stress management programmes , Social support , Pet therapy , Animal assisted therapy , Burnout , Animal assisted intervention , Open-office , Work overload , Animal-assisted activities , Pet therapy , Animal-based therapy , Companion animals , Anthropomorphism , Biophilia hypothesis , Human-animal bond
Alternative Title
Abstract
The importance of stress management is emphasized throughout this study as well as the need to cater stress management programmes to the unique needs of individuals. The possibility of introducing an animal-assisted stress management programme into the work environment is explored by means of a qualitative study in order to test out the feasibility of such an intervention. The positive physical and psychological effects animals have on humans has been extensively researched and reported. Eleven participants were randomly chosen from within the same department by means of purposive sampling. Semi-structured interviews were held with each participant and thematic analysis was used to analyse the transcribed interviews. Various themes were identified and explored with the most prominent highlighting the need for privacy, respect and connection. Although animals do have positive effects on some employees, there are individual differences that need to be considered. An electronic animal-assisted stress management intervention is recommended.
Description
Citation
Carstens, Michelle Santos (2013) Healing paws: animals in the work-place assisting with stress management, University of South Africa, Pretoria, <http://hdl.handle.net/10500/12063>