Effect of an Equine-Assisted Positive Psychological Intervention on Flourishing in an Under-Resourced South African Community

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of an equine-assisted positive psychology intervention (EAPPI) on flourishing among adults in Diepsloot, a marginalised South African community. Flourishing was conceptualised as a multidimensional construct encompassing emotional, psychological, and social well-being, life satisfaction, and affect balance, alongside reduced psychological distress. Given limited mental health resources in under-resourced settings, equine-assisted interventions offer a nature-based, experiential approach aligned with eco-existential positive psychology. A quasi-experimental within- and between-groups design was employed, with 149 participants assigned to an intervention group ( n = 78) or control group ( n = 71). The intervention consisted of eight 120-minute equine-assisted sessions integrating experiential learning and psycho-education. Standardised self-report measures, Mental Health Continuum Short Form, Satisfaction with Life Scale, Scale of Positive and Negative Experience and Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale – 21 items, assessed flourishing at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up. Results revealed significant improvements in flourishing within the intervention group, including increased emotional, social, and overall well-being and life satisfaction. Negative affect decreased, but affect balance showed unexpected reductions. Older adults reported greater life satisfaction, and baseline differences showed lower initial well-being in the intervention group, which improved post-intervention. These findings underscore the efficacy and cultural relevance of EAPPI in community-based mental health promotion, contributing to the growing evidence for nature-based therapeutic interventions. Future research directions and study limitations are discussed.