The effect of an equine-assisted positive psychology intervention on flourishing, ,meaning and hope in an under-resourced South African context : a mixed methods study

Abstract

This study aimed to develop, implement and evaluate the effect of an equine-assisted positive psychological intervention (EAPPI) on the flourishing, meaning, and hope of adults in the under-resourced community of Diepsloot, South Africa. Grounded in the intersection of eco-psychology and existential positive psychology, the research employed a concurrent mixed-methods design, with qualitative data collection embedded in the quantitative phase post-intervention. Participants recruited via purposive sampling were assigned to either an experimental or control group. Quantitative data on flourishing, meaning, and hope levels were collected using standardised self-reported questionnaires at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and three-month follow-up and analysed using non-parametric statistics. Qualitative data, capturing participants' subjective experiences, were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed thematically. The quantitative and qualitative findings were integrated via joint display analysis, which confirmed the EAPPI’s effectiveness in enhancing flourishing, deepening a sense of meaning, and fostering hope despite ongoing exposure to adverse conditions. However, the study noted limitations in the ability of quantitative measures to detect subtle changes in psychological distress, which were more effectively captured through qualitative reporting. This research offers robust evidence that the EAPPI is a feasible and culturally adaptable intervention that supports optimal well-being and promotes mental health in marginalised communities. The findings contribute to expanding the scope of positive psychological interventions and highlight the importance of further research on equine-assisted approaches in similar contexts.