Effects Of Vicarious Equine Interaction On Anxiety And Neuromodulators

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dc.contributor.advisorHu, Yueqin
dc.contributor.authorGray, Jane Camille
dc.contributor.committeeMemberGraham, Reiko
dc.contributor.committeeMemberSchepis, Ty
dc.date.accessioned2018-08-09T14:53:36Z
dc.date.available2018-08-09T14:53:36Z
dc.date.issued2018-05
dc.description.abstractHuman-animal interaction influences the release of neuromodulators, such as cortisol, epinephrine and norepinephrine (Beetz, Uvnäs-Moberg, Julius, & Kotrschal, 2012). No data could be located in the literature to establish a neuromodulating effect of Vicarious Equine Interaction (VEI) on anxiety and mood, measured by changes in oxytocin levels in saliva. A Pilot Study (n = 151) found the group who viewed a positive VEI also reported significant improvement in mood compared to the control video (trees blowing in the wind) (Gray, 2015; Gray, Ceballos, Graham, & Tooley, 2015). Study 1 followed the Pilot Study, with a larger sample size (n = 321). Another control group (a horse running) was added. Study 1 corroborated the findings in the Pilot Study—a positive VEI significantly improved mood and decreased anxiety compared to the two control videos. Study 2 was comprised of a small group of healthy university students (n=11) who viewed only the VEI video. Oxytocin saliva samples were collected before and after viewing the VEI. Oxytocin levels significantly correlated to decreased anxiety, and implicitly corresponded to improved mood. Investigating whether involving people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD), would be helpful to establish whether VEI influences mood or changes in oxytocin among people with emotional dysregulation.
dc.description.departmentPsychology
dc.formatText
dc.format.extent63 pages
dc.format.medium1 file (.pdf)
dc.identifier.citationGray, J. C. (2018). <i>Effects of vicarious equine interaction on anxiety and neuromodulators</i> (Unpublished thesis). Texas State University, San Marcos, Texas.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10877/7443
dc.language.isoen
dc.subjectOxytocin
dc.subjectVicarious Equine Interaction
dc.subjectNeuromodulators
dc.subjectHorse therapy
dc.subjectStigma
dc.subjectLabel
dc.subjectPTSD
dc.subjectBPD
dc.subjectEmotional dysregulation
dc.subjectBorderline Personality Disorder
dc.subjectPost Traumatic Stress Disorder
dc.subjectSuicide
dc.subjectSuicide risk
dc.subjectVasopressin
dc.subjectEmotional regulation
dc.subject.lcshAnimals--Therapeutic useen_US
dc.subject.lcshAnxiety disorders--Treatmenten_US
dc.titleEffects Of Vicarious Equine Interaction On Anxiety And Neuromodulators
dc.typeThesis
thesis.degree.departmentPsychology
thesis.degree.disciplinePsychological Research
thesis.degree.grantorTexas State University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Arts

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