Abstract：
OBJECTIVE: The university campus environment is unique and complex, with students and staff members experiencing increasing levels of stress and anxiety over time. One intervention being used internationally to alleviate stress and anxiety is an Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI). This research aimed to explore Australian university students\' and staff members\' perspectives on an AAI prior to implementation.
METHODS: This study used an explanatory mixed methods approach. Student participants were recruited through posts on a university\'s subject sites and via social media. University staff member participants were recruited through emails from managers or department newsletters. Data were collected through an online anonymous survey and subsequent semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with SPSS and qualitative data were analysed via thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Data included 344 survey responses and 45 semi-structured interviews. Survey responses indicated a large majority of participants believe an AAI could promote health on campus. This was due to the range of benefits participants felt an AAI could have on campus (such as reducing stress and anxiety, providing opportunities for a break from work or study, social benefits, and enhancing the university environment). In interviews, participants suggested an AAI could contribute towards a positive university environment and help promote other services on campus; provided it considers those not interested in participating. SO WHAT?: If implemented sustainably, an AAI has potential to contribute towards a positive university environment for both staff and students, by potentially reducing the high rates of stress and anxiety the university community are currently experiencing. An AAI could also help to raise awareness of other health services on campus, further contributing towards promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
METHODS: This study used an explanatory mixed methods approach. Student participants were recruited through posts on a university\'s subject sites and via social media. University staff member participants were recruited through emails from managers or department newsletters. Data were collected through an online anonymous survey and subsequent semi-structured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with SPSS and qualitative data were analysed via thematic analysis.
RESULTS: Data included 344 survey responses and 45 semi-structured interviews. Survey responses indicated a large majority of participants believe an AAI could promote health on campus. This was due to the range of benefits participants felt an AAI could have on campus (such as reducing stress and anxiety, providing opportunities for a break from work or study, social benefits, and enhancing the university environment). In interviews, participants suggested an AAI could contribute towards a positive university environment and help promote other services on campus; provided it considers those not interested in participating. SO WHAT?: If implemented sustainably, an AAI has potential to contribute towards a positive university environment for both staff and students, by potentially reducing the high rates of stress and anxiety the university community are currently experiencing. An AAI could also help to raise awareness of other health services on campus, further contributing towards promoting positive mental health and wellbeing.
摘要：
目标：大学校园环境独特而复杂，随着时间的推移，学生和工作人员的压力和焦虑水平越来越高。国际上用于缓解压力和焦虑的一种干预措施是动物辅助干预（AAI）。这项研究旨在在实施之前探索澳大利亚大学生和工作人员对AAI的看法。
方法：本研究采用解释性混合方法。学生参与者是通过大学主题网站上的帖子和社交媒体招募的。大学工作人员参与者是通过经理或部门通讯的电子邮件招募的。数据是通过在线匿名调查和随后的半结构化访谈收集的。定量数据分析采用SPSS，定性数据分析采用专题分析。
结果：数据包括344份调查回复和45份半结构化访谈。调查答复表明，绝大多数参与者认为AAI可以促进校园健康。这是由于参与者认为AAI可以在校园中获得的好处范围（例如减轻压力和焦虑，提供休息工作或学习的机会，社会效益,并改善大学环境)。在采访中,参与者建议AAI可以为积极的大学环境做出贡献，并帮助促进校园中的其他服务；前提是它认为那些对参与不感兴趣的人。如果可持续地实施，AAI有可能为教职员工和学生创造积极的大学环境，通过潜在地减少大学社区目前正在经历的高压力和焦虑率。AAI还可以帮助提高人们对校园其他卫生服务的认识，进一步促进积极的心理健康和福祉。
方法：本研究采用解释性混合方法。学生参与者是通过大学主题网站上的帖子和社交媒体招募的。大学工作人员参与者是通过经理或部门通讯的电子邮件招募的。数据是通过在线匿名调查和随后的半结构化访谈收集的。定量数据分析采用SPSS，定性数据分析采用专题分析。
结果：数据包括344份调查回复和45份半结构化访谈。调查答复表明，绝大多数参与者认为AAI可以促进校园健康。这是由于参与者认为AAI可以在校园中获得的好处范围（例如减轻压力和焦虑，提供休息工作或学习的机会，社会效益,并改善大学环境)。在采访中,参与者建议AAI可以为积极的大学环境做出贡献，并帮助促进校园中的其他服务；前提是它认为那些对参与不感兴趣的人。如果可持续地实施，AAI有可能为教职员工和学生创造积极的大学环境，通过潜在地减少大学社区目前正在经历的高压力和焦虑率。AAI还可以帮助提高人们对校园其他卫生服务的认识，进一步促进积极的心理健康和福祉。
