Using Self-Determination Theory Through a Mixed Methods Approach to Examine the Effects of Therapeutic Riding for Military Service Members and Veterans

Beth A. Lanning; Cassady Mecate; Jacueline Evans-Warshaw

doi:10.21061/jvs.v10i1.504

Using Self-Determination Theory Through a Mixed Methods Approach to Examine the Effects of Therapeutic Riding for Military Service Members and Veterans

Journal of Veterans Studies

Volume 10 (2024): Issue 1

By: Beth A. Lanning , Cassady Mecate and Jacueline Evans-Warshaw

Open Access

|Apr 2024

Abstract

Self-Determination Theory (SDT) through a mixed-methods approach was used to understand effects of therapeutic riding for military service members and veterans (MSMVs) experiencing reintegration difficulties. While SDT has been successfully used to examine the role of psychological needs and intrinsic (autonomous) motivation in improving health and well-being across multiple intervention programs, this is the first time it has been applied to a program integrating horses for MSMVs. The study aims were to determine if MSMVs completing 10 therapeutic riding (TR) sessions experienced improvement in psychological well-being and reintegration difficulties. Fifteen of the 20 participants completed all 10 sessions and assessments for a 75% completion rate. Participants reported improvement in all SDT psychological needs subscales: competence, autonomy, and relatedness as well as a statistically significant improvement in reintegration difficulties. Positive changes in psychological well-being components were correlated with a decrease in reintegration difficulties. Qualitative data collected from post-program interviews supported noted changes. SDT proved to be a useful framework for understanding how therapeutic riding affects MSMVs’ psychological well-being. Using the SDT in future equine-assisted services research is needed to further understand how programs integrating horses affect intrinsic (autonomous) motivation and psychological well-being.

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Articles in this issue

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21061/jvs.v10i1.504 | Journal eISSN: 2470-4768

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Language: English

Page range: 85 - 102

Submitted on: Sep 13, 2023

Accepted on: Feb 3, 2024

Published on: Apr 12, 2024

Published by: Virginia Tech Publishing

In partnership with: Paradigm Publishing Services

Keywords:

Therapeutic riding,

Self-determination theory,

veterans,

reintegration,

intrinsic motivation,

psychological needs

© 2024 Beth A. Lanning, Cassady Mecate, Jacueline Evans-Warshaw, published by Virginia Tech Publishing
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Volume 10 (2024): Issue 1