Group Occupational Therapy Sessions Using Hippotherapy: Growth of Resilience and Leadership in Youth Facing Adversity

Background: Youth experiencing adversity face significant challenges and are more likely to experience mental health concerns, low self-confidence, and difficulty with leadership skills, impacting their future occupational potential. This study examined the impact of using hippotherapy in a group occupational therapy intervention on the resilience, mental health, and leadership of youth facing adversity. Method: Twenty-one youth experiencing adversity participated in a 10-week group occupational therapy intervention. Using a single-group pretest/posttest mixed-methods design, the Resilience Scale for Children and Adolescents (RSCA) was administered pr and postintervention alongside structured interviews. Results: Quantitative results indicated statistically significant improvements in emotional reactivity (p = .02), recovery time (p = .03), and impairment (p = .00). The participants also reported increased self-confidence (p = .04) and teamwork skills (p = .01). Qualitative data highlighted evolution in leadership identity, strengthening of interpersonal and team dynamics, and personal transformation and proactive engagement. Conclusion: Findings suggest that using hippotherapy as a tool in group occupational therapy intervention enhances emotional regulation, confidence, and mental well-being. These results underscore the benefits of incorporating hippotherapy into occupational therapy practice to foster resilience in youth facing adversity. Future research should explore additional outcomes and compare results with traditional therapy approaches.