Promoting Social and Emotional Competencies in Children and Youth Through Human-Animal Interactions: A Scoping Review

• In Event: AERA Virtual Poster Session 4
  In Poster Session: SEL Poster Session

Abstract

Programs incorporating (live) animals to promote the social and emotional competencies (SECs) of children and youth are growing in popularity. However, there is a dearth of empirical evidence attesting to their effectiveness. To address this knowledge gap and consolidate findings across studies, a scoping review was conducted. Across three academic databases, 3,618 publications were screened, which resulted in the analysis of 28 publications revealing that this research field is emergent, interdisciplinary, and international. Across studies, variability was evident in the SECs promoted through programs (social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making being the most frequently addressed), in the participating animals (dogs and horses most common), and in the context in which programs were situated (school and community settings most common).

Authors

• Melvin Chan, York University

• Kimberly A. Schonert-Reichl, The University of British Columbia

• John-Tyler Binfet, The University of British Columbia