Evidencing the Impact of Human-Animal Interaction for Those Living with Mental Health Problems - Volume 2

Following the success of the first volume of this Research Topic, Frontiers in Psychiatry is pleased to launch this second volume, Evidencing the Impact of Human-Animal Interaction for Those Living with Mental Health Problems - Volume 2.

It has been predicted that mental health problems will be the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally by 2030, with depression and anxiety being the most prevalent. Identifying early preventative strategies, risk and protective factors, social determinants of mental health, as well as the continued development and evaluation of therapeutic interventions in both upstream and downstream contexts, are important. Expanding research into human-animal interaction (HAI) highlights the potential protective and therapeutic roles of HAI (including animal-assisted interventions) for psychological health. Robust empirical research evidence is however lacking, with existing studies often remaining methodologically flawed, inconsistent, and inconclusive. Much of the current HAI literature is correlational or based on small sample size, with a lack of high-quality intervention research designs capable of establishing causal relationships. There is also a current research need to examine the psychological mechanisms that may underly observed benefits and challenges of human-animal relationships and interventions for mental health.

The aim of this Research Topic is to publish high quality empirical research findings relating to HAIs in clinical mental health populations. Specifically, we would be interested in research that aims to develop and test the clinical and cost-effectiveness of evidence-, protocol-based animal-assisted interventions to improve mental health outcomes in populations across the lifespan. We are particularly interest in research that that develops and tests the clinical and cost-effectiveness of evidence-based, protocol-driven animal assisted interventions (e.g., relating to suitable control groups and sample sizes). Potential underlying mechanisms, and aspects relating to the animal partner (e.g., animal welfare and risk monitoring) would be particularly suited to support the development of evidence-based national and international protocols and guidelines, clinical practice and decision-making, e.g. related to commissioning of animal-assisted interventions and funding of further research in the field.

This Research Topic aims to showcase rigorous interdisciplinary research into the benefits and risks of human-animal interactions (HAI) for mental health populations in clinical contexts across the lifespan. There is particular interest in work that focuses on inpatient and outpatient populations with severe mental health illness (SMI), adults and children/young people with neurodevelopmental disorders (including autism spectrum disorder), adults with dementia, and those diagnosed with common mental disorders (e.g., anxiety, depression) or PTSD within in community settings. Rigorous research examining the mechanisms underpinning the therapeutic effects of human-animal interaction (e.g., social neuroscience, psychobiology, attachment theory), randomized controlled trials assessing clinical and cost-effectiveness, and manuscripts detailing the development of protocols for interventions/training are encouraged. Theoretical papers, lived experience work, or instrument development papers are also welcomed. Representation of a range of animal species involved in the interventions is desirable.

Article types and fees

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• ... View all formats

Articles that are accepted for publication by our external editors following rigorous peer review incur a publishing fee charged to Authors, institutions, or funders.

Article types

This Research Topic accepts the following article types, unless otherwise specified in the Research Topic description:

• Brief Research Report
• Case Report
• Clinical Trial
• Editorial
• FAIR² Data
• General Commentary
• Hypothesis and Theory
• Methods
• Mini Review
• Opinion
• Original Research
• Perspective
• Policy and Practice Reviews
• Review
• Study Protocol
• Systematic Review

Keywords: Human animal interaction

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.