hh.sePublications
Change search
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
A Newfound Experience of Being Good Enough: Youth’s Experiences of an Equine-assisted Therapy Intervention
Halmstad University, School of Health and Welfare.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5925-8386
Halmstad University, School of Health and Welfare.ORCID iD: 0000-0002-5958-849X
Halmstad University, School of Health and Welfare.ORCID iD: 0000-0001-9753-0988
2026 (English)In: Issues in Mental Health Nursing, ISSN 0161-2840, E-ISSN 1096-4673, Vol. 47, no 5, p. 454-461Article in journal (Refereed) Published
Abstract [en]

Mental health, encompassing self-esteem, confidence, physical activity, and social interaction, is essential for the well-being of children and adolescents and supports executive functions crucial for school performance. Mental ill health among young people is increasing in Sweden, with rising rates of self-reported problems, psychiatric diagnoses, and prescriptions of psychotropic medication. The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of equine-assisted interventions (EAI) among children and adolescents with anxiety-related mental ill health in southern Sweden. A qualitative design using reflexive thematic analysis was employed. Participation in an equine-assisted intervention was experienced as fostering a sense of “being good enough.” The findings were presented through three interrelated themes. Participants described how a non-demanding, stress-free environment promoted relaxation and emotional safety. Interaction with the horse supported experiences of inner harmony, emotional regulation, and increased confidence. Participants also reported feeling more competent and authentic in managing everyday situations. These experiences developed gradually through interconnected aspects of the intervention rather than as a single outcome. Participation in EAI was experienced as providing a safe and supportive environment that promoted emotional regulation, confidence, and a sense of competence among youth. © 2026 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.

Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Philadelphia: Taylor & Francis, 2026. Vol. 47, no 5, p. 454-461
National Category
Nursing Occupational Therapy
Research subject
Health Innovation, M4HP
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:hh:diva-58553DOI: 10.1080/01612840.2026.2631007ISI: 001702909300001PubMedID: 41746833Scopus ID: 2-s2.0-105031624354OAI: oai:DiVA.org:hh-58553DiVA, id: diva2:2045979
Available from: 2026-03-14 Created: 2026-03-14 Last updated: 2026-07-06Bibliographically approved

Open Access in DiVA

No full text in DiVA

Other links

Publisher's full textPubMedScopus

Authority records

Hjort-Telhede, EvaBräutigam Ewe, MarieJormfeldt, Henrika

Search in DiVA

By author/editor
Hjort-Telhede, EvaBräutigam Ewe, MarieJormfeldt, Henrika
By organisation
School of Health and Welfare
In the same journal
Issues in Mental Health Nursing
NursingOccupational Therapy

Search outside of DiVA

GoogleGoogle Scholar

doi
pubmed
urn-nbn

Altmetric score

doi
pubmed
urn-nbn
Total: 58 hits
CiteExportLink to record
Permanent link

Direct link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf